Are Scotland underperforming at international level?
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For a country of their size, Scotland has produced some top players in the past. The likes of Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish were stars of the English game in the 1980s. However, the seeming stream of Scottish talent has dried up slightly in recent years.
A 3-0 defeat in Kazakhstan last Thursday was the worst result in the history of Scottish football. The defeat came on the back of two straight wins in the Nations League against Albania and Israel, which made the result even stranger.
A 2-0 victory over the world’s lowest-ranked team in San Marino on Sunday led to boos from the loyal travelling Tartan Army. Scotland were scraping a 1-0 win until the 74th minute when Johnny Russell sealed the win.
The win was unconvincing considering their opponents. Although Belgium are the red-hot favourites to qualify from Group 1, Scotland may have believed that they have a good chance of qualification, considering that Russia are the only other team in the group not considered a minnow.
On paper, Scotland have a promising squad. The likes of Andy Robertson and Ryan Fraser have been top performers in the English Premier League this season. Both are talented players with the potential to get even better.
Then you have the Celtic players such as James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney who have all played on a regular basis in European competition with the Hoops.
Unfortunately for Scotland, the team is arguably underachieving considering the standard that many of the players are playing at in their domestic careers.
Scotland will be keen to move on from their last two international games. In truth, Belgium will win the group barring any miracles. However, with Cyprus, Russia, Kazakhstan and of course Scotland all on three points, McLeish’s still have a chance of finishing as runners-up in Group I. They must produce much improved displays to qualify for Euro 2020, though.
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