Scotland: Fans have their say on friendly defeat by Northern Ireland as Euros loom

A couple of defeats in Euro 2024 warm-up games has got plenty of fans all hot and bothered over Scotland’s prospects at Euro 2024.

It was a Hampden shocker, sure, but the phoney war of friendlies isn’t to be taken too seriously, right?

Er, try telling that to some supporters as perspective went out the window and they picked apart where it all went wrong.

There was, it must be said, also a bit of positivity amid the gloom. Buckle up, here’s a summary of your views….

Tough night for Patterson

With Aaron Hickey still unavailable, Nathan Patterson continued at right wing-back, despite not playing for Everton since January. It was a difficult night for the 22-year-old, who was at fault for Conor Bradley’s first-half winner…

John: Surely we must have a better option for right-back. Patterson gives the ball away far too often. I dread what will happen at the Euros if we have to go without Hickey.

Jeff: Patterson, despite humphing and trying, was simply nowhere near good enough to wear the Scotland shirt. I remain unconvinced by this lad and his overinflated price tag. There surely is a better option out there.

Anon: When will Clarke start playing in-form players rather than his favourites from the last three or four campaigns? Surely if you pick four goalkeepers you play them, even if it was 45 minutes each. Patterson should have been subbed at half-time to save him from the boo boys. When Andy Robertson went off injured surely Greg Taylor should have been the natural choice to take his place.

Anon: We have had the media whip up a furore over what for Scotland? It was a freak run of results in qualifying.

Hector: We’re at best very mediocre. I’m a big fan of Patterson but he does look very rusty. No good wing or striker options. Dodgy at centre-back. Decent in midfield though John McGinn has been off the boil last couple matches. Worrying times…

Ryan: Credit to Northern Ireland, they held strong and compact. Patterson will be used as a scapegoat but he was one running the lines and wasn’t the only one misplacing crosses. Billy Gilmour and Kieran Tierney were the only stand-out players from last night.

Ian: Tierney, Gilmour and Shankland all get pass marks for the two matches. All the others were off the pace, and poor Patterson had a terrible time. I still think we will be OK in Germany, though.

Anon: Very disappointing performance. I’m all for loyalty but the squad needs fresh faces. Why take four goalkeepers but only play Angus Gunn? Looks like everyone is scared to get injured in case they miss the Euros. Come on Steve, sort us out and get us back on track.

Clarke getting it in the neck too

Manager Clarke’s selection and tactics also drew frustration…

Elaine: Absolute garbage. Friendly or not we needed to win this game. We were totally not up for it. I fear a total hammering in Germany. Maybe then we’ll see Clarke leave. Clueless.

John: I think the manager should leave after the Euros, time for a change. The squad of players at his disposal are excellent.

Anon: Clarke’s loyalty to journeymen and underachievers is costing us. He’s too set on his ways and borderline arrogant. Let him take us to the Euros then bin him.

Coll: As much as I appreciate Clarke’s skills as a coach and his loyalty to his group of players, I feel Scotland are going stale. An injection of freshness, a new cap, a wild-card or two, is needed. I am not sure there is a quick fix but something doesn’t seem right.

Anon: Clarke doesn’t pick a team, he picks his favourites. That was proven with some of the players that started and some of his substitutes coming on.

Iain: I think Clarke is relying far too much on the same players, as Northern Ireland showed last night it is time to give younger players a chance.

Bruce: Terrible display from a team that was fully outplayed by a hungrier side. Clarke is being too loyal to some players who are clearly not as sharp as they were but where does he find replacements?

Something different needed up front?

Lyndon Dykes started in attack, while Che Adams and the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer, Lawrence Shankland, came off the bench…

Tom: My good feelings after the 70 minutes in Holland are now as low as I remember. Every class team has a goalscorer or two. Unlike Holland we lack speed to counter. Our finishing is pathetic. Dykes or Adams must go. Give Shankland more minutes and bring in an Under-21 striker.

Michael: Maybe time to give some Under-21s a go, the likes of Ben Doak and Tommy Conway. Lewis Morgan and Ryan Gauld are Scotland’s best chance of more creative options and are on fire for their clubs.

Anon: Clarke should look at another attacking option – one in form that offers something different. Danny Armstrong at Kilmarnock has been top of the league for most attacking stats this season and last and should get a squad place.

James: Why did Clarke not start with Shankland the prolific scorer? It was only when he came on that we had a few opportunities. Dykes is good in air but his form has dipped and Adams isn’t much better.

Ian: Did Dykes actually touch the ball? Shankland constantly shouting for the ball. Where did it go? Backwards. Adams and Shankland looked a good combination.

Billy: Have we peaked too early? The lack of an international striker has plagued us for years but Shankland has to start. At least he looks like he might score. But we do seem to have run out of ideas and form at just the wrong time. Can’t break down a stuffy defence. Can’t defend against even half-decent attacks. Not a great combination.

Grant: Absolutely ponderous in attack – no penetration and no-one who looks like they can produce goals. Defence shaky and confidence gone. This was a terrible display and dire result. Sorry for Clarke – he can only work with what he’s got!

Anon: Far too many sideways passes. How can we play with only one guy up front to play forward to? Not nearly enough movement from the players. How many times did the midfield get beyond Dykes to stretch NI? Not nearly enough.

Colin: We can’t score goals, yet Ryan Hardie at Plymouth Argyle has scored only two less than Adams and Dykes combined in the same league. Give him a go up front. He’ll run all day for us.

Anon: Ryan Hardie is still waiting Mr Clarke!

Anon: Have they made contact with Harvey Barnes? Would have been much easier to get him three months ago…

…finally some optimism

Gary: Clarke has been an amazing manager and has dragged this team to unbelievable heights. But I think because the last few games have been friendlies, he’s obviously experimented with players and tactics. The NI game was proof that when playing lesser opposition we need more attacking options, flair, guile and the fortitude to play exciting football. Steve, I have faith in you. We can get out of the group in Germany, and if we do… anything could be possible!

David: We are allowed to have an off day. We played fantastic against the Dutch and I am still confident we will beat Germany. We just need the confidence and hopefully the sun in Germany and the vibe will bring that back, we always do better in competitive games.

Anon: Never win friendlies, as the big games are mid-June, and by then the three group opponents will have switched off and have three shocks with Craig Gordon in goals.

Graeme: A gentle reminder Scotland beat Pot A side Spain side not too long ago in qualifying. Less than a week ago we saw the crisp passing and swagger of the first 60 minutes in Holland – that ended badly but I still back this side to get six points in their group in June. Who really cares about warm-ups?