Cristiano Ronaldo winner for Portugal is harsh on Scotland, reckons Steve Clarke

STEVE CLARKE claimed Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-gasp Lisbon winner was harsh on Scotland.

The Portugal icon’s 901st career goal condemned the battling Scots to another late Nations League defeat.

4

4

Scott McTominay gave Clarke’s side an early lead, but Bruno Fernandes levelled, and legend Ronaldo came off the bench to win it.

Gutted Clarke said: “We deserved to get something out of that game.

“I am so disappointed for the players.

“It’s disappointing to lose a game when we looked for a long time we’d get something.

“The effort and quality they put into the game meant they deserved something from it.

“When you bring quality players on like Portugal can do, you always know they could get a chance.

“There are a lot of positives, even though you’re disappointed to play two games and come out with nothing.

“At this level the lessons are harsh. I spoke to the players about it — it’s important to not be too hard on themselves.

“They understand how difficult it is to get results at this level.

“They want to win and do well for their country, so they will be disappointed. That’s the nature of the squad we have.”

McTominay’s bullet header on seven minutes gave Scotland a shock lead in Lisbon.

Clarke’s men impressed in a confident first-half display which had Portugal frustrated, and saw Ronaldo summoned from the bench at the break.

Fernandes levelled in 54 minutes but keeper Angus Gunn should have done better at that goal.

He redeemed himself with a string of top saves, but there was heartbreak as Ronaldo scored two minutes from time.

4

The veteran striker lost marker Scott McKenna and netted his 901st career goal at the back post.

Scotland have now won just once in their last 14 games but Clarke remains optimistic.

He added: “We spoke after the game to reiterate what the cycle we’re in is. We’re trying to readjust a bit after the summer.

“We can use these matches to try to build because the end goal as always is qualification.

“We can use these games. It would be nice to get some points — and it would be nice not concede late goals.

Our New YouTube Channel

Subscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.

We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.

Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week…

MONDAY

Go Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction.

WEDNESDAY

Robert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club.

FRIDAY

Go Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points.

Subscribe now and don’t miss a thing.

“This is the level we’re at because we’ve been a good team and we got to the top level of the Nations League.

“We’ll look to try to improve, and build on what we do.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page