Tartan Army’s Mixed Fortunes: Dominant Display Falls Short of Expectations in Skopje Victory

Graham: Let’s not get carried away here. They were awful yet we could only score twice and managed to end up with 10 men. Our lack of quality in the final third really showed.

William: The reality is North Macedonia were utter rubbish and yet, for all our play, we managed one goal, not withstanding a penalty. If we can’t put three past a team like that, and then a penalty bonus, then it’s still poor.

Stuart: Totally dominant, yes, but a poor team against a very poor team. Would love to say the future is bright – here is hoping – but don’t hold your breath.

Jason: I have never seen a team who constantly put pressure on themselves. Should have scored at least five goals, but slackness causes a red card and then under pressure with 10 men for the last 10 minutes. This can’t keep happening. They need to wake up or we won’t even qualify for our own Euro tournament.

Russell: I am sorry, but there is a lack of skilled intelligent football yet from Scotland and, to be straight, I have a funny feeling the Belgian might not be the right man.

Haz: I hope “Captain Fantastic” Robertson apologises profusely to his teammates after the game. Butchered several attacking situations in the first half trying to make it all about him, then sold poor McKenna down the river with the most inept defensive pass imaginable.

Andy: Scotland has just beaten North Macedonia and it’s all “what a great result”, etc, You should think how far you have fallen. Where are your upcoming Dalglish, Souness, McGrain, Jordan, Strachan, McCoist, Nicolas, Hanson, McAllister and so many great fantastic players? Where are the new upcoming players? I’m English but miss your great players and great Scottish team.

Iain: Scotland as always their own worst enemy. Should have been out of sight before the second goal from the penalty spot. Sending off was caused by a sloppy pass in defence and was totally avoidable. Another frustrating night, but a much-needed win.

Miller: Lots of domination but absolutely shocking goalscoring record.

Gerry: This Scotland team beats buying Horlicks. I honestly wouldn’t go to my front window if they were playing on my lawn.

Lindsey: Let’s be honest, North Macedonia are currently a poor side and we should have bagged more goals. To have that many opportunities and only get one in the net (in play) is not good enough. Tuesday night is huge. We won’t be controlling the game and will therefore have to ensure better deliveries into the box so the strikers can do their job.

Maurice: How the commentators got excited about this I’ll never know. Robertson and [Ben] Gannon-Doak run up and down the lines, but there is absolutely no end product. And I hope McKenna shakes Robertson’s hand for the short pass that got him a red card. And [Oli] McBurnie, well; he tries!

Jeffrey: [Scott] McKenna far too rash. Yes, it’s a bad pass, but an accident waiting to happen. Welsh and Binks look good and I’d give [Luke] Graham a chance. Should’ve been four up before the red.

Jim: I cannot get excited by this victory and would argue this was a victory that flattered us. This was a very poor North Macedonian team. We scored a terrific goal, the other being an extremely doubtful penalty. We seemingly have few striking options currently and are missing the likes of [Scott] McTominay, but it cannot disguise the scant resources available to the new manager. We need a very urgent rethink and rebuild of the game here in Scotland or we will continue to be what we currently are the “nearly boys of world football”.

John: Yes a win. Performance shocking! Gannon-Doak was ponderous, slowed the movement on most occasions and his delivery, end product was dreadful. Yes, he has talent, but unless someone coaches him and works on delivery, he will be ruined. At present, he is not good enough for a national team because of these failings. John McGinn again was poor. Slow, rotten touch, not running for the team but falls down repeatedly, once or twice very embarrassingly! Mr 100 cap started strongly, but had he played a couple of passes, when required, McBurnie would have had a few goals. McBurnie again was very good. Most of his first touches opened up excellent field positions promoting a fast transition to attack. Looks very promising with Bowie. Gunn, Hendry, McKenna, McGinn, Christie have had their day.

Fergus: An okay performance against a weak team. I’m not buying it was exciting/attacking yada yada, because against a team that bad you can’t gauge it. Superb performances from several. I thought Bowie was superb and never gave up. Against anyone marginally better, Scotland will get found out pretty quickly. Could do with playing consistently better opposition to see where we really are.

Neil: Scotland, in spite of dominating, were unable to put the ball in the net. Bowie scored a good goal, the penalty was soft, other than that they failed to score. Against better opposition this continued failure will be costly.

Douglas: Wow, they have won a game against a useless team. Hang the bunting out, decree a Scottish holiday – pathetic standards.

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