Steve Clarke and Andy Robertson would be quite within their rights to feel a sense of pride and comfort in their Scotland roles having finally ended the Tartan Army’s 24-year wait for a major tournament.
Correct? Not according to Hotline callers.
Thursday night’s draw with Austria to open the World Cup qualifying campaign didn’t impress and manager and skipper - along with the hero of Serbia Ryan Christie - were front and centre of the criticism.
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, blasted: “A lot of fans are disgruntled with Ryan Christie's performance against Austria, ok he had poor game but don't blame him - blame Steve Clarke as he's the one picking players who have not been in form for some time. Clarke has got to stop picking players out of form and start being a manager, yes he got us through to the Euros through a back door, a door opened up by McLeish, had we not have had that second chance Clarke would have been out of the job now.”
Jack Lambert, Newcastle, said: “What is it with Scotland managers and there team selections? Leaving better players that play in the English Premier League on bench and playing players that wouldn’t make it in a Sunday league team. Hanley for one he is a joke as is leaving Adams and Fraser on bench.”
It wasn’t just the manager getting it in the neck.
Jim McClean, Rothesay, slammed: “Andy Robertson must be the most overrated player in Britain. Another poor game in a Scotland jersey. Why has he got to take every corner and throw in and free kick? His deliveries were unbelievably bad and Kieran Tierney is miles ahead of him. As for Ryan Christie say no more.”
Jimmy Davidson, Dundonald, has a solution to the left-back dilemma though, saying: “How do we get the best out of our two world class full backs? Both can deliver great crosses. The difference is that Robertson does it having been put in the position to deliver and Tierney can create the chance to deliver himself. If he were an outside left there would be no one to touch him in Britain. Remember Gareth Bale was once a full back. Steve Clarke should think out the box and use Tiernay primarily as an attacking threat out wide left.”
David Bryce, Troon, said: “Thursday showed why Jack Hendry is playing in Belgium. He was at fault for both the goals. He is not robust enough and is too easy to play against. He is never Celtic class. Once again John McGinn showed us how big a player he would have been for Celtic if Lawwell didn’t dither and got the deal done. What a player he is now.”
Sticking with Celtic and Scott Brown has confirmed he will bring the curtain down on his 14-year Hoops career to join Aberdeen in the summer.
But Stevie Delaney, St Andrews, said: “Can't believe Broonie has joined a club with a rookie manager and fans who reviled him as a player. There's something not quite right at Celtic when they can't hold on to him to assist with a period of major change?
Gordon Ferguson, KIlwinning, added: “Not only will Scott Brown’s jersey be red next year his face will be even worse after the Rangers and Celtic midfield pass and play Aberdeen off the park and the reality sets in he is no longer at a big club.”
Alan Milligan emailed: “Scott Brown is the latest to jump ship from Celtic after having had an easy ride for the past 10 years. He was always a very limited and average football player who got lucky during a period where Celtic had no real competition. He was rubbish for Scotland and was always chasing shadows in European competition.”
However Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: “The word legend is widely used and sometimes it’s wrongly used but you must admit that Scott Brown will be known as a Celtic legend. I’m a Rangers fan by the way.”
Finally, on other Hoops matters, Roy Keane has rocketed into odds-on favourite with the bookies to replace Neil Lennon as manager.
But Jim Docherty emailed: “I hope Keane doesn't become Celtic manager as he is a real hothead and the last thing we need is a manager who spends more time in the stand and also has a bad reputation with players.”
