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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

What the Scotland pundits said as James McFadden hails 'phenomenal' Jack Hendry after gutsy Ukraine show

All of a sudden it's good being Scottish again as fans up and down the country celebrate a draw with Ukraine that sends us into League A in the Nations League.

Steve Clarke and his team bounced back from a difficult summer with three gutsy performances to take seven points from Ukraine and Ireland and give ourselves a great chance of making it to Euro 2024. The performance in Krakow was far from fluid but the fighting spirit was there and the travelling Tartan Army had plenty to celebrate on the full-time whistle.

Pundits have been living it up too after the latest chapter in the Scotland revival under Clarke. James McFadden, Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd were among those dissecting the action and there were glowing verdicts all round as a depleted Scottish side battled to a priceless point that leaves us with a playoff AND a pot two seeding ahead of the next Euros.

Here is what they each had to say after the game.

James McFadden

"I'm relieved. Credit to the players, that's a huge effort over the last week to get the results over the line. Not the best performance, not the prettiest, didn't create too many great opportunities but some real star performances within that.

"Craig Gordon, save after save. Jack Hendry, what a week he's had, he's been absolutely phenomenal. Most importantly it's job done, playoff place secured, pot two for the draw for the Euros secured, and we get to mix it with the big boys in League A."

Kenny Miller

"The performances were great. Defensively, there were a lot of question marks getting raised about Ryan Porteous' inclusion, but I thought he handled it, he was excellent.

"Jack Hendry, the defensive line, how many offsides did we see tonight? Catching all these Ukrainian attackers out. It was a really disciplined performance. Yes we gave up a few chances and the keeper made some big saves, but that's what he's done for a number of years now.

"It's job done. At the start of the week, to get seven points would have been huge. And now we can look forward to the rewards for coming top in this group."

Steven Thompson

"We managed the game well. A few scares, but we used our experience. To come over here and get a clean sheet with a makeshift defence is a remarkable achievement. Another sign of progression under Steve Clarke."

Pat Nevin

"That was extraordinary. The workrate, the organisation, with all the difficulties Scotland have had. To come here and stay concentrated with so many new players is incredible."

Leanne Crichton

"A performance that showed guts, determination, desire, probably everything it is to be Scottish.

"We had to ride our luck, but we were never overran, and when you look at the players that are missing, there have been so many hurdles to overcome. It speaks volumes about the squad."

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