San Marino 0-2 Scotland: Alex McLeish’s men labour to win against lowly Euro 2020 qualifying group opponents
Scotland responded to their dreadful Euro 2020 qualifying defeat at Kazakhstan with a 2-0 win at lowly San Marino.Alex McLeish’s men were dispatched 3-0 in Astana on Thursday, leading to Craig Burley telling talkSPORT that the manager should never have come back in the first place.
3The result will do little to ease the pressure on McLeishAnd while the latest match will do little to ease the pressure McLeish, Scotland did get the all-important result thanks to goals from Kenny McLean and Johnny Russell.Many of the near 3,000 visiting fans therefore vented their disapproval towards the Scottish Football Association board, even after the second goal.Skipper Andy Robertson admitted on the eve of the match that Scotland could only make a small start to atoning for Thursday’s loss but they barely did that.
3Captain Robertson returned for the San Marino gameThe opening defeat looked even worse when Group I rivals Russia won 4-0 in Kazakhstan before kick-off in San Marino and ending the first two games against the two lowest-ranked teams on minus goal difference is a major setback, especially given Cyprus put five past San Marino.The omens for a resounding win were not good. Scotland had only won 2-0 on each of their three visits to San Marino, twice on their way to reaching the European Championship finals in the 1990s.McLeish made six changes and a bold choice in his central striking role in Cardiff’s Callum Paterson – a midfielder for his club and a right-back for his country in the November wins over Albania and Israel.Paterson and Bournemouth wide player Ryan Fraser were back in after being allowed to miss the opening qualifier under an agreement with their clubs over concerns about the artificial surface, while Robertson returned after dental surgery.Right-back Stephen O’Donnell also came in along with Russell and McLean, with James Forrest among the players dropped.Scotland started with verve and McLean came close with a fierce 20-yard volley before glancing home Fraser’s cross and settling the nerves. But there was no lift-off as the tempo gradually tailed off. Russell was twice off target with half-chances before teeing up Stuart Armstrong in the 20th minute but Ella Benedettini produced an impressive double stop.Slackness remained evident in the visitors’ play and there was a scare on the half-hour mark when Jose Hirsch got in between Scotland’s centre-backs and went round Scott Bain, but he shot into the side netting from a difficult angle.Paterson went off injured after landing awkwardly as he had a header theatrically saved and Marc McNulty eventually took his place.There was a lack of quality about Scotland’s final ball, evidenced by Russell and Fraser wasting free-kicks and the latter crossing straight out of the park, before the half-time whistle was met by a few boos.There was another scare just after the restart when Filippo Berardi went down in the box under the close attention of Scott McKenna but the referee was unimpressed.McNulty had a shot deflected wide and McKenna glanced a header just past but Scotland were labouring and the introduction of Scott McTominay for Callum McGregor did little to change things.Forrest replaced Armstrong in the 71st minute and soon set up Russell on the break to net from close range, with McNulty assisting matters by setting the Celtic winger free and leaving his low cross.
3Russell’s 74th-minute strike sealed the win for ScotlandMcNulty had good chances to add to the lead but headed Forrest’s cross wide from six yards and then saw his attempted lob diverted over.The final whistle was met with a few jeers but more applause from the travelling fans.
Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Eden Hazard from Chelsea. The 28-year-old has agreed a long-term deal with Zinedine Zidane's side that keeps him there until 2024 and gets to fulfil his wish of playing under his boyhood idol, whilst representing another of the biggest clubs in world football.
Chelsea transfer news: Eden Hazard wants 'perfect farewell
See what elvis (mutelviz) has discovered on Pinterest, the world's biggest collection of ideas.
Eden Hazard transfer: Will Real Madrid move for Chelsea star? Here's what we know Hazard's future has long been up in the air, but his time at Chelsea has never looked closer to a conclusion
Hazard agrees 'dream' move to Real Madrid - ESPN FC
The latest Tweets from John Campbell (@John_Cam2013): "Positive substitution made by @Boro bringing on @_MarcusTavv gives Boro better balance & another attacking threat.
Freddie Woodman: Leeds United, Celtic and Arsenal linked with
hollywoodadviser.com/freddie-woodman-leeds-united-celtic-and-arsenal-linked-with-newcastle-goalkeeper-ahead-of-january-transfer-window/
gossip The Whites are keen on signing the Under-20 World Cup winner on loan when the transfer window reopens Leeds United, Celtic and Arsenal are all keeping tabs on Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports.
Girona - talkSPORT
Pablo Zabaleta wants West Ham United to sign former Manchester City star Samir Nasri The Frenchman has not played competitive football for almost a year due to a doping ban, but is now training
Pablo Zabaleta shelves retirement plans to sign new contract
Transfer news and football gossip: De Ligt responds to Man United links, Real Madrid chief confirms he 'wants' Hazard, Martinez set for Barcelona job? talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Tuesday's papers and online… Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said talkSPORT 4 days ago
NewsNow: Football Transfer Gossip | Football Transfer News
Manchester United could deprive Liverpool of £13m should they sign Philippe Coutinho this summer Barca paid £145m for the playmaker last January but only £106m of that fee was transferred up front.
Liverpool transfer news: Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will
Gianluigi Buffon latest: Juventus and Italy legend considering emotional Parma return and Manchester United offer - reports.
Rumour Has It: United make Wan-Bissaka offer as Buffon
Liverpool are reportedly leading Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign wantaway Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer. Rabiot's current deal at the Parc des
Gunners join race for wantaway Paris Saint-Germain star | Sport24
Inter ready to sell Vecino. Juanfran is ready to follow Diego Godin through the exits at Atletico Madrid, reports with the former Reds striker reiterating his call for Jurgen Klopp to
Transfers - Page 15 - talkSPORT
Man City boss Pep Guardiola explains why winning Premier League over Liverpool FC would be his biggest achievement. Manchester City are closing in on the defence of their Premier League title and
The battle for the Premier League title and top four
0 Comments