14/10/2025

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TUESDAY | OCT 14, 2025

Malaysian Paper

Disappointing Scots

so they know what my feelings are. But I’ve got a great faith in them and I trust them absolutely. And I know that next month they’ll be a different animal.” Asked If nerves had Clarke pulls no punches after McTominay, VAR rescue Tartan Army

S COTLAND laboured to an unconvinc ing 2-1 Hampden win over Belarus – but it proved enough to seal a top-two finish in Group C with two World Cup qualifiers to come. Goals from Che Adams and Scott McTominay ultimately guaranteed Scotland at least a playoff place as Greece later suffered a 3-1 defeat against Denmark that left them seven points adrift of the top two. Given Denmark’s goal difference advan tage, Scotland will almost certainly need to beat the Danes at Hampden on Nov 18, but a draw in Greece three days earlier would be enough to ensure the final match is the group decider. On an evening when Steve Clarke took charge of the national side for a record-break ing 72nd time, Adams fired the home team ahead after 15 minutes. The visitors had a second half goal disal lowed for a foul on McTominay before the Napoli star struck from 10 yards in the 84th minute. Belarus substitute Hleb Kuchko reduced the deficit in the sixth minute of added time and in a qualification section that might come down to goal difference – Belarus lost by six to Denmark – the Tartan Army had hoped for more goals and a more fluid performance. Manager Clarke admitted after the match that his team turned in a “head-scratcher” of a performance at Hampden Park. “I’m really disappointed – really, really dis appointed. It’s possibly as disappointed as I’ve been over the whole 72 games. We just didn’t turn up. “But before I go down that route, and you start asking me questions about why I’m feel ing like that, it’s also to point out that per formances don’t get you qualification. And tonight was certainly not a performance. “But we got three points and that’s six points from the double-header so we’re really pleased about that, as everyone with a Scottish connection will be. “But the performance was way below par. It’s a head-scratcher. But I’ll go away, I’ll have a look, and we’ll analyse it. We’ll look at what we have to do better and how we can be more cohesive as a team without the ball. And how we have to be better as a team when we have possession. “I’ve told them that in the dressing room, Ű BY RONNIE ESPLIN AND WILL CASTLE

played a part, the former Reading, West Brom and Kilmarnock boss said: “They can’t be nervous. Why would they be nerv ous? Most of them have played in big games before. “I don’t think you can blame nerves. If it’s nerves, I

think I’ll need to speak to the doctor and see if he can find me some tablets to give them.” Despite another three points towards the 2026 finals in North America next summer, the Tartan Army vented their frustrations at the end of the game. Clarke said: “That seems to be the way of the modern game. Everything now is instant. Everyone has an opinion in the first minute of the game, the 10th minute of the game, the 20th. “Everyone has a different opinion depend ing on how the game flows. “If the fans were disappointed with the performance tonight, they should take a little comfort in the fact the head coach was also disappointed.” Scotland captain Andy Robertson said the team do not “feel good” despite winning yes terday’s World Cup qualifier. “It doesn’t feel good,” he told BBC Scotland . “We can be honest with that. “It doesn’t feel like a win at the minute, and I think you can see that by our reaction at the end, which is hugely frustrating. The per formance is nowhere near where we need it to be. “It’s a hugely frustrating night; we felt that in the stands. I didn’t quite understand it on Thursday, but I understand it (on Sunday). “We’ll take that on board, but come November, we’ve got the chance to go to a World Cup and that’s what we’re focused on.” – The Independent/Agencies

Scotland’s Scott McTominay (left) in action with Belarus’ Max Ebong Action during their Fifa World Cup qualifiers at Hampden Park yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Timely boost for Coco

Easy for Oranje

No disrespect: Cklamovski

- Story on page 28

- Story on page 29

- Story on page 31

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