SCOTLAND have now gone SEVEN games without a win ahead of Euro 2024 after a loss to Northern Ireland at Hampden.
Liverpool star Conor Bradley’s deflected strike in the first half was enough to condemn Steve Clarke’s men to defeat in Glasgow.
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It was a night of disappointment all round for the Tartan Army with fellow Anfield star and Scotland skipper Andy Robertson subbed off injured in the opening 45.
Next time out, they will have the chance to make amends against Gibraltar and Finland before the summer tournament.
But here’s how the beaten Scots rated after Tuesday night’s clash…
ANGUS GUNN – Norwich No1 barely had a thing to do other than helplessly try to reach for Bradley’s brilliant strike. Relieved to see Charles’ shot sail wide before break but that was just about it6
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JACK HENDRY – Al-Ettifaq defender started at the right of the back three after central role in Amsterdam. Sloppy in possession early on and Bradley strike deflected in off him to sum up his night 5
LIAM COOPER – Leeds stopper was handed 18th cap in one of two changes. Looked the most solid of the defenders and showed good distribution. Nodded second half chance wide 6
KIERAN TIERNEY – started as left of back three then switched to left-back in shape change. Sent in a couple of good crosses but didn’t hit the levels we usually see in a Scotland shirt 5
NATHAN PATTERSON – started well with great tackle midway through first half but at fault for Northern Ireland opener when failed to clear and looked completely shorn of confidence after that 2
BILLY GILMOUR – brilliant in Amsterdam and a lot of the play went through the Brighton midfielder last night. Took sore one from McCann then his late tackle on Spencer saw him booked. Subbed 6
ANDY ROBERTSON – skipper struggled to get going before rolling his left ankle after being caught by Trai Hume’s trailing leg on the half hour. Tried to run it off but went down again and subbed six minutes later 3
SCOTT McTOMINAY – crowned writers’ international player of the year gong before the game but had one of his least effective appearances for Scotland in a while. Drilled wide on stroke of half-time 5
JOHN McGINN – took armband after Robertson’s early exit. Battled hard but couldn’t spark the side into life. Second half free-kick which Cooper nodded wide and wanted a pen after Spencer challenge 6
RYAN CHRISTIE – saw effort clawed onto the bar against Holland and started brightly last night. Early drive wide but found it difficult to get any space after that as Irish quickly got men around him 5
LYNDON DYKES – QPR man was searching for his first international goal in over nine months after being brought back into the starting line-up but had little to feed off and no shots on goal before subbed 4
SUBS: Lewis Ferguson (5) unlucky again not to start. Latched onto Gilmour ball forward but touch let him down then late header saved, Che Adams (2) no openings, Kenny McLean (2) couldn’t affect things, Lawrence Shankland (3) chance blocked then header just over, Stuart Armstrong (3) free-kick soon after coming on created Hendry chance.
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