A year ago, Scotland were heading for the European Championships amid wild excitement. Events since have included Nations League high points but umpteen chastening experiences. This proved another of the latter.
For the second game in succession, Steve Clarke’s team lost three goals at home. The nature of Iceland’s success – a fully deserving one – in Glasgow felt ominous in respect of an upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign. With Germany and the Euros such a distant memory, Clarke does not have his troubles to seek. Scotland look a team that has passed its peak. There were no redeeming features at all attached to this display. Clarke must be alarmed.
The opening to the game was notable for the injury sustained by the Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn. When collecting a routine cross, Gunn’s ankle clattered into Andri Gudjohnsen with the consequences apparently serious. Gunn limped from the field after just six minutes.
Gunn’s replacement, the debutant Cieran Slicker, was to endure an inauspicious arrival in international football. With just his second touch, Slicker kicked the ball straight to Stefán Teitur Thórdarson. Gudjohnsen was the gleeful recipient of Thórdarson’s header, the Gent man taking one touch before sending a glorious left foot shot into Slicker’s top right hand corner.
