Two-goal hero Scott McTominay stated Scotland took their alternative to create a legacy by beating Spain 2-0 in European Championship qualifying at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
McTominay’s brace led Scotland to their first win towards Spain since 1984 and continued their excellent begin to the Euro 2024 qualification marketing campaign with six factors from two matches.
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“Have a look at this place – I’ve by no means seen something prefer it, unbelievable,” McTominay, who additionally scored twice within the 3-0 win towards Cyprus final week, stated.
“The supervisor stated that is our probability to create legacies as Scotland gamers and these are the nights in 20, 30 years that folks bear in mind. We won’t thank the followers sufficient.”
He added: “We did actually, very well. We knew they’d have a lot of the ball, and the supervisor stated to be scientific after we had the alternatives, and I assumed we had sufficient alternatives tonight to actually damage them and rating some targets.
“As a child, I used to be an attacking midfielder — I wish to get within the field. I’ve bought to maintain doing that, I do know I can add extra targets and assists to my recreation.”
Scotland won’t get carried away with their shock victory, however the result’s a step ahead for the staff and a blueprint for the way to maximise scraps of possession, supervisor Steve Clarke stated.
“I am delighted with the efficiency,” Clarke informed Viaplay. “I assumed the gamers have been excellent from first minute to final.
“The dynamic, enthusiasm and high quality of the staff did not change. It is a large night time, it appears like a step ahead, however it’s solely six factors and you do not qualify with six factors. One dangerous recreation can set you again, so we keep targeted and maintain our ft on the bottom.”
Spain had 67% of the possession, however Scotland managed extra makes an attempt on aim within the recreation, 9 to the guests’ eight.
“We did not have an terrible lot of possession, however what we did have, we used very, very properly,” Clarke stated. “The defensive form’s good, the space between the models was actually good, which stops a big a part of Spain’s recreation.
“While you take a look at the stats, you understand you’ve got been out-passed, however while you take a look at the pictures on aim, pictures on track – it is nearly equal. It means we utilised the ball very properly after we had it, which is clearly pleasing.”
Clarke will take time to digest the consequence earlier than considering forward to Scotland’s subsequent matches in June, away in Norway and residential to Georgia.
“I will have a few quiet days to settle down, after which we begin making ready for 2 large video games, as a result of June may very well be a pivotal month for us,” he stated.
Data from Reuters was used on this report.
