Former Scotland striker Chris Boyd described his nation’s efficiency as “embarrassing” after their facet thrashed Germany 5-1 at Euro 2024.
Scotland have all the time been up towards the European Championship hosts, who certified for the event because of pleasant wins over France and the Netherlands.
Nevertheless, poor defending and poor possession noticed Steve Clarke’s facet 2-0 down after 20 minutes, with the third purpose coming earlier than the break from a Kai Havertz penalty after Ryan Porteous despatched off for a reckless assault on Ilkay Gungodan.
Scotland restored their satisfaction after the break and drew 1-1 on 45 minutes earlier than Emre Can scored a fifth in stoppage time, however the harm was lengthy since accomplished.
“They have been embarrassed,” Boyd stated Sky Sports activities Information. “They deserve an enormous quantity of credit score for getting there, however we will not maintain attending to competitions and freezing. That is precisely what occurred.
“Germany have been superb however on the finish of the day you must watch your runners, you must stick with them and present extra confidence with the ball while you get it.
“I’d be stunned if Scotland had greater than 10 assists put collectively in any section of the sport. At this stage, if you are going to get something, that is the one factor you must do.”
Jamal Musiala was named man of the match because the German midfielder impressed once more on the worldwide stage, whereas Florian Wirtz capped his event debut with a tremendous opening purpose and Gundogan pulled the strings in midfield.
However Boyd felt Germany’s high quality was allowed to shine by a static Scotland protection and stated Clarke’s facet ought to use the humiliating defeat as a lesson forward of their assembly with Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday.
“Scotland actually struggled with the motion of Germany’s forwards, though they have been high quality, they usually switched off at key instances,” he stated.
“It was a nasty night time however there is not any doubt these gamers have put the nation again in good spirits and hopefully they’ll bounce again within the subsequent two video games however it should be very, very troublesome.
“The video games with Switzerland and Hungary is not going to be straightforward. You need to erase this consequence, it is already accomplished and you may’t change it now. What you are able to do is go and have a look at the following two video games and attempt to give them hassle.
“Steve Clarke may be offended with himself however I do not assume he can go down on the gamers since you do not need to lose them, you must ask them to go once more on Wednesday.”
Clarke: We let ourselves down
Supervisor Clarke, whose facet have solely crushed Gibraltar of their final 9 video games, urged the Tartan Military to “maintain the religion” regardless of a disappointing opening defeat after various followers left the Allianz Enviornment nicely earlier than the full-time whistle.
“It was a tricky night time,” he admitted. “We did not play to our requirements and I assumed the German workforce was nice.
“We’re dissatisfied, we really feel like we let ourselves down. We’re higher than that and hopefully we will present that within the subsequent two video games.
“It was all the time going to be a tricky night time to get something. We’d like 4 factors within the subsequent two video games and that is what we’re centered on.
Requested if it was his hardest night time as Scotland supervisor, he added: “No, I’ve had powerful nights earlier than. I’ll survive this.
“I by no means doubted my gamers.”
Robertson: First half ‘wasn’t proper’
Captain Andy Robertson stated Germany’s first-half efficiency labored “one million instances higher” than Scotland’s throughout their painful thrashing in Munich.
“We did every little thing mistaken within the first half,” stated the Liverpool defender. ITV. “We did not actually present up, we weren’t aggressive sufficient. They gave good gamers the ball.
“They’d a sport plan and we had one and theirs labored one million instances higher than ours.
“Nevertheless it wasn’t due to the plan, it was as a result of we did not type it on the pitch. When these massive moments occur, you must do it.
“Second half, right down to 10 males, I assumed we dug in nicely. We conceded a sloppy purpose on the finish however may have drawn within the second half.
“It is no comfort although, we have good help right here. At the moment was very disappointing.”