‘Will to attack lifts Scotland from Euros gloom’
Scotland are now shaking off the despairing fatalism that gripped the country after defeat to Hungary and on their epic run to one win in 16 games, but there is still much to do. The First Division relegation play-offs will be held in March. In the next few seconds, World Cup qualifiers will need the luck of the draw to go smoothly.
What will it look like in March? Scotland boast goalscoring legend McGinn and consistent contributor Scott McTominay, but they have still managed just seven goals in six Nations League games.
The lack of forwards remains the biggest problem. Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland and Tommy Conway all tried their hand at it. They both work hard and have the ability to create chances in midfield, but neither has scored in the National League.
This is a problem that currently has no solution. No one came. Clark always said it didn’t matter where the goal came from as long as it came. He is right.
However, for Scotland to progress to the next level, you suspect they will need more creativity and more ruthlessness.
So the emergence of Ben Doak is an exciting step in the right direction. Ryan Gauld’s contribution off the bench is also noteworthy. Scotland still have a long way to go in attack, but the game against Poland showed they now have a will to attack, whereas there was no real will to attack during a frustrating summer in Germany.
Being so competitive in six First Division games against tough opposition will only help Scotland mature. Things can get really interesting when some injured stars return to the court. If young pusher Lennon Miller continues to improve so quickly, they could become even more interesting again.
The team, which initially suffered worrying losses on the way to Germany and then hit a dead end in the tournament, has turned around from darkness and appears to be heading into the light again.
The Nations League relegation battle and World Cup qualifying will be the ultimate proof of that, but at least Clark can take solace in the fact that even his most agitated critics are now relatively silent. That’s doubtful he ever cared about the noise in the first place.
