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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Scotland player ratings as woeful performance sees Clarke's side sleepwalk to defeat

Craig Gordon 5

Four shots on target faced and three of them resulted in goals, it wasn't a stunning performance the Tartan Army have come to expect from Craig Gordon. However, any blame over defeat at Hampden can hardly be laid at Gordon's feet. He had no chance of stopping the opener tucked into the bottom corner, even less chance of stopping an inch-perfect second from Greece and the third was unstoppable as it threatened to take the net off.

Anthony Ralston 5

Has handled the right-back role admirably in the absence of Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey but it wasn't his best night. Defended alright but there was no drive up the right wing and his crossing was wayward. Poor pass led to third goal for Greece.

Grant Hanley 5

Limited minutes at club level perhaps came into the equation in a less impressive display in the second leg. Didn't put a foot wrong in Athens but was off the boil in Glasgow and sloppy in his play. He almost gifted Greece a fourth goal as he was robbed by Pavlidis in the box.

John Souttar 6

Colossal in Greece but unable to emulate that performance at Hampden. Saved it from being four goals conceded on 66 minuets with a last-gasp hooked clearance off the line after Pavlidis dinked over Gordon.

Andy Robertson 4

Pre-match, Greece wonderkid Karetsas suggested he could trouble Robertson, unfortunately for Scotland, the 17 -year-old was right. Robertson was locked into a defensive role and unable to race forward and cause problems in the opposite direction. Raced to shut down free man Konstantelias but left Karetsas free to slam home second for Greece.

Billy Gilmour 4

Boos rang around the stadium as the Napoli midfielder was withdrawn just ten minutes into the second half, but in truth, he seriously struggled to compete at Hampden. Usually able to dictate play and tempo, Gilmour was bypassed far too often by Greek waves of attacks.

Kenny McLean 4

Imperative in Athens with a commanding midfield display but a night to forget as he claimed his 50th cap for Scotland. Slipped in the build-up to Greece opener as he lost his man to allow a simple cut back and finish. Similarly, was nowhere to be seen to intervene in either of Greece's second or third as he was lost in the midfield. A really tough night from a usually reliable servant for Clarke.

John McGinn 5

Branded the display as "embarrassing" as he stepped up to media duties right on full-time. He was right. Provided his usual physical presence and had bags of energy in midfield but couldn't be the catalyst for success he has been in the past for his country. Had genuine chance on 30 minutes but could only fire straight at goalkeeper.

Scott McTominay 6

Head and shoulders above his Scotland team-mates at Hampden but was also effective for the first 30 minutes. Two early strikes showed his confidence with one well saved and another slammed into the side netting. Played McGinn through on the half-hour but effort was turned clear.

Ryan Christie 5

Favoured to Ferguson as he came back into the starting XI with Clarke hopeful he could offer "something different". The Bournemouth man operated on the right flank, completely different to his role at club level, and was unable to provide much at all beyond some lung-bursting pressing efforts in the first 15 minutes.

Che Adams 5

Badly let down by a total lack of support or service from his team-mates. Adams spent most of his evening with his back to goal rather than threatening the Greece rearguard. This was a repeat of the thankless task he faced in the second half on Thursday but his team-mates didn't hold up their end of the bargain in defending. Slight chance in opening minutes but was bundled down in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge.

SUBS

Lewis Ferguson (for McLean, 55) 4

Dropped to the bench despite a promising display in Greece last week. Slotted into deeper midfield role in the second half but couldn't do anything to turn around the sinking Scotland showing. Booked.

Kieran Tierney (for Gilmour, 55) 4

Unlucky not to start again as he paid the price for Clarke sticking with a back four for Scotland. Brought on at left wing in the absence of unavailable Ben Doak as provided some needed desire. Had best sight of goal in the second period but half-chance was fairly comfortably saved.

George Hirst (for Adams, 55) 4

Made his second appearance for Scotland since joining the ranks under Clarke but had no real chance to show what he is capable of. Clearly, Hirst has power, aerial ability and some pace but too often for Scotland he was just another body in a training exercise against Greece.

Tommy Conway (for Christie 73) 3

Brought on to make up a front three for Scotland badly in need of a spark but couldn't provide it. Like all of Scotland's forward players, he was feeding off scraps and when he had the ball he couldn't conjure up anything.

James Wilson (for Robertson, 73) 3

Thrown on for his debut in the desperate hope he could come up with something special to inspire an unthinkable turnaround. Very limited touches but one for the future and shouldn't be judged on this sobering night.

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