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It should be to Scotland’s advantage that reveling in past achievements is not Steve Clarke’s style. After an absence from the finals dating back to 1998, progression to this summer’s European Championship was met with an epic celebration. But Clarke has rightly emphasized that if Scotland wants to be taken seriously as a footballing nation once again, the ranking cannot be isolated. The proximity of the World Cup to the next European Championship gives Scotland a decent chance to gain momentum.
Clarke seemed happy about this draw against Austria, which is understandable given that Scotland lost twice. A moment of magic from John McGinn with five minutes left closed the scoring in a game that was something of a simmer. Scotland will play much better; under this regime, they lack nothing in spirit.
“We will accept the point,” Clarke said. “You cannot suppress this team. They have character and want to fight for their country. There are many positives to this evening. “
Austria was never going to be submissive visitors to Glasgow. Armed with a full contingent of German-based players after a relaxation in quarantine rules, Franco Foda’s men started the night 25 places higher than their hosts in the FIFA rankings. When Sasa Kalajdzic scored a wide-range shot from David Marshall’s goal in two minutes, Clarke’s claims before the game of a severe challenge rang true. Christoph Baumgartner nibbled at Marshall’s palms from 20 yards, while Austria maintained their bullish start.
Scotland’s paucity of attacking play during the opening period was illustrated by the depth to which main forward Lyndon Dykes had to fall to participate. Austria’s tactic of keeping Andy Robertson less than 50 yards from his own goal whenever possible had an impact on Liverpool’s side, and Scotland looked forceful.
And yet Clarke’s men should have been ahead at halftime. Alexander Schlager, the Austrian goalkeeper, inexplicably passed the ball directly to Dykes, who struck back at the advancing Ryan Christie. Schlager deserved credit for his save from the Celtic midfielder, but Christie will have lamented his waste.
When Che Adams appeared for his Scottish debut with 25 minutes to go, Austria had the upper hand. With Clarke yelling at his players to press the ball, Florian Grillitsch was given time and space to line up a long-range shot. Perhaps fittingly for a goalkeeper who hasn’t been playing for Derby County, Marshall could only launch the attempt at Kalajdzic’s feet. The Stuttgart forward accepted his gift when Scotland’s defense froze. Clarke had a right to rage; Cheap goal concession was a staple with previous Scotland coaches, but not this one.
Scotland had a strong claim for a penalty moments later when Christie was in the hands of Stefan Ilsanker. Referee Carlos Grande rejected the appeals but came to Scotland’s aid when he disallowed what would have been a second Kalajdzic goal to push off Kieran Tierney. Later, Clarke acknowledged that Austria could raise concerns about Kalajdzic’s decision.
If Adams was seen as the obvious source of salvation, Grant Hanley had other ideas. The Norwich City center-back took advantage of a dangerously high Austrian line on a Stephen O’Donnell free kick, striding forward to overtake Schlager. Clarke is a huge fan of Hanley due to his defensive abilities; The 29-year-old marked a return to the international fold after a three-year absence by displaying talents of a different kind.
Dykes was inches away from landing a Robertson cross as Scotland battled for a victory that had seemed unlikely for so long. Instead, the excellent Kalajdzic attacked again. The 23-year-old, winning just his third international game, jumped up to beat Jack Hendry with a Stefan Lainer cross from the right. Marshall didn’t stand a chance.
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Scotland roared once again, with McGinn’s superb goal. Christie headed the ball hopefully into the Austrian penalty area after a set piece, and McGinn unleashed an aerial kick to beat Schlager. “I thought he was off the game,” McGinn said. “That’s one thing about VAR in the future [in England], you play until the ball is in the back of the net. Before, I could have stopped. “
Hereafter to Scotland, to Israel before the Faroe Islands visit Hampden Park. Smoother testing, one would presume, for a team Clarke has headed in the right direction.
