Not so Bonnie Scotland. And such a shame.

Published: Monday, 24 June 2024

We’ve all enjoyed some barnstorming performances from Scotland down the years. Granted, they haven’t always produced the result required, but you couldn’t complain about getting value for money. Disappointment was tempered by knowing everything had been done to get a result and nothing had been left on the pitch.

Where was the spirit and raw drive on Sunday night? They limped out of the Euros. It was such a shame.

I understand Steve Clarke didn’t want to lose the game in the first ten minutes, which, I guess, explains some of the caution. He said afterwards he felt it was always going to be a one-goal game. So there‘s another reason why he was so careful.

But I’d have loved to have seen him try and win the game in the first ten minutes. They had to win, so have a go. The whole evening was about caution. He waited far too long to make changes. When he did, the guys he brought on made an immediate impact. Shankland and Armstrong started running at defenders and it upset Hungary. All of a sudden they were being turned and mild panic set in. So why wait until the 76th minute to make those two changes?

There is absolutely no doubt they should’ve had a pen. Armstrong was clearly bundled to the ground by Orban. What didn’t Argentinian ref Facundo Tello see? Why didn’t VAR get involved? It was a pen.

Clarke asked the same two questions post match, I think suggesting the ref was more lenient of Orban’s challenge because of his origins. I don’t buy that. I don’t care where you’re from - if a ref can’t see that he/she shouldn’t be doing the job. It was a disgrace.

I would add that an award doesn’t automatically mean a team is scoring. Ask Harry Kane (France) about that. There’s still a lot of work to be done when a player puts the ball on the spot. But you want what you’re due. And it was a pen.

I can’t image that Clarke keeps his job now. In the round - he’s done really well for a Scotland, but it’s time for a change.

Who? Well not Souness, whose been busier than ever since Sky sacked him and tried to sell the lie that he was retiring. I love Graeme, but I think he’s beyond a return to management now.

I’ve seen Coisty’s name mentioned as well. Yea. I get that. He’d be a breath of fresh air, but I think he’s probably too comfortable working in the media now. He’s also too good to be allowed to change course.

My choice would be Paul Lambert. He’s hugely experienced and enormously well respected on the European football scene. He’s the right age and deeply patriotic. Why not?

A big thanks from all of us at beINSPORTS to Ashley Cole for the time he spent with us during this tournament. What a thoroughly nice guy he is. Why did we ever think differently? It’s funny - I had a conversation with him, and a few of the guys one evening, about who was the more unpopular - him or me. I’m sorry to report that I won comfortably. 😂.

Not only is Ash great company, he’s really got the coaching bug. Who knew? Perhaps he and Frank Lampard could take England forward when Southgate leaves?

I’ll bet City are shitting themselves now they Rui Pinto has turned up again. He’s the self-confessed whistle blower who founded Football Leaks. He was speaking remotely to the OffshoreAlert Marbella football conference last week and revealed that he’s now handed over five hard drives to police in France and Germany with information he claims is relevant to the PL’s 115-charge case.

‘I am confident they (authorities) will find criminal relevancy’ he said. His lawyer added ‘We have been approached by investigators to share information regarding Manchester City that has not been released before. We have a massive file of Manchester City related documents’. Oops City. Perhaps justice will be done after all?

Good luck to England this week. I liked Harry Kane turning on the media. It showed courage. I thought he was articulate and spot on, but now he’s got to back it up. England just have to be better going forward.