Scotland’s defeat to Germany is their worst loss at major tournament for 70 YEARS – when they only had a squad of 13

SCOTLAND suffered their worst defeat at a major finals for 70 years after their mauling in Munich.

Steve Clarke’s side were hammered 5-1 in Germany in a nightmare start to the European Championships at the Allianz Arena.

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And it was the heaviest defeat they have suffered at a tournament since they were destroyed 7-0 by Uruguay in Basel in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.

Back then, it was Scotland’s second-ever game at a tournament, having lost their opening game to Austria in a 1-0 loss.

But Scotland could at least point to an excuse back then as Tommy Docherty – who later managed Scotland and Manchester United – explained.

Docherty, who passed away four years ago, said: “We got beaten 7-0. We only took 13 players – and two of them were goalkeepers. I don’t know what would have happened if we’d had any injuries.

“You were allowed to take a squad of 18, but we only took 13. The rest of the plane was filled with Scottish FA committee members and their wives.

“The manager Andy Beattie quit and the physio took over. We were still quite confident going into the second game.

“But we were wearing heavy cotton shirts and heavy shorts too while the South Americans were kitted out in more lightweight short sleeved tops.

“I lost half a stone during the playing of the national anthems.

“The heat was incredible and we were drenched in sweat. At half-time we had to get into a lukewarm bath to cool down. We just weren’t prepared.

“We weren’t given a run down on who were their dangerous players or anything like that.

“Although I was told to man-mark their star player, Juan Alberto Schiaffino. No one told me how good he was, I couldn’t get near him.”

Meanwhile, boss Clarke has responded to the touchline exchange he was seen having with assistant coach Austin MacPhee last night.

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