Liverpool duo Andy Robertson and Ben Doak captured the headlines after standout displays for Scotland
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson was the hero for Scotland as his last-gasp winner helped Steve Clarke’s side away from UEFA Nations League relegation. The Tartan Army will now embark on a relegation playoff, in order to avoid slipping into the B section of the mini-league.
Scotland completed the unthinkable on Monday, beating Poland to make it two wins in two after going into the November international break bottom of their group, and staring down the barrel at demotion. After the standout display from Reds loanee Ben Doak against Croatia, it was the left-back and Scotland captain who was the hero – in a 2-1 win in Poland.
Arne Slot will welcome the returning Robertson, fresh off his match-winning display, while Doak – who is on loan at Middlesbrough – continues to pique interest from supporters and coaches alike after coming of age in the North East during the early months of his loan spell in the Championship.
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On a historic night for Scottish football, here is how the national media responded. Frazer Wilson of the Daily Record said: “What a way for skipper Andy Robertson to celebrate his 80th cap – which moves him level third with Darren Fletcher in Scotland’s all-time appearance list.
“His thumping header in injury time was his fourth goal for his county and fittingly it came in the same venue where he won his first cap, 10 years ago, in a 1-0 friendly win over the Poles.
“At 30 you’d think there’s every chance the left back could be the first to bust Kenny Dalglish’s record 102 caps. Despite suffering a couple of slack moments early on last night the captain constantly looked to get on the ball and made a few important interceptions defensively too.
“It’s been a remarkable decade for the Liverpool man who was still a Dundee United player when he made his debut in Warsaw in March 2014 – just a year after he’d left Queen’s Park for Tannadice. And he remains a huge figure for Clarke as he, like the boss, looks to reach a first World Cup in two years’ time.”
On Liverpool’s 19-year-old talent, he added: “Steve Clarke’s pre-match tease about leaving out Ben Doak proved to be nothing more than a bluff.
“Whether the Poles fell for it or not we’ll never know but the wee winger was superb again. Another assist for McGinn’s opener – that’s now four goal involvements in six caps for the teenager. And after a man of the match performance against Croatia on Friday where he had Josko Gvardoil on toast it was the turn of Roma’s Nicola Zalewski and Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior to be left dazed by the Doaky cokey.
“The teen set up four chances overall but Clarke’s decision to remove him after 65 minutes had punters scratching their heads. The boss will no doubt point to tiredness in the youngster but he looked to still have a bit left in the tank.
“He’s by no way the finished article, which is reason to be excited in itself, but Doak certainly has the ability to get fans off their seat every time he takes the ball in and runs at his opponent. More than that he fills team mates with confidence and takes Scotland up a level by his mere presence. Surely now a certain starter moving forward.”
The Herald’s Graeme McGarry wrote: “The Scotland captain has been a fantastic servant for his country, and he brought up a significant milestone as he earned his 80th cap here, drawing him level with Darren Fletcher as the joint-third highest cap holder of all time. Only Jim Leighton and Kenny Dalglish are now ahead of him in the pecking order.
“It was fitting that he marked the occasion with a quite brilliant header into the top corner in the dying moments of an absorbing contest, popping up to give Scotland a win that they deserved for their sheer heart alone.
“No one epitomised that more than Robertson. His contribution is often underestimated, if not overlooked entirely, but the Liverpool man can be rightly proud of his Scotland career to date, and will hope to lead the national side to further success in the future,” he continued. “Steve Clarke, you old cad you.
“Who says the Scotland manager doesn’t have a sense of humour? He certainly had the nation going with his bit of kidology prior to this game that the name on every member of the Tartan Army’s lips, Ben Doak, might not make the starting XI.
“There he was though on the teamsheet, much to the relief of the nation. And within minutes, he made a telling contribution, showing the awareness to lift his head and pick out McGinn at the edge of the box to sweep the ball home. Though, it would be remiss not to note the role of Billy Gilmour, who sliced open the Polish defence with a brilliant line-breaking pass to find his winger in the first place.
“Doak was almost in again moments later, and then he produced a moment of brilliance as he skinned Zalewski and was desperately unlucky not to have a teammate read his low cross into the box through the legs of a Polish defender. The Scottish defence had a spell under the cosh after that, but every time they could find Doak on the right, he not only offered respite with his ball carrying ability, but he had the Poles like rabbits staring into headlights.
“If Clarke had gained favour by starting Doak, he drew the fans’ ire by withdrawing the youngster with 25 minutes to go with the Scots needing a goal, as tired as he may have been. Polish wing back Nicola Zalewski was certainly relieved to see the back of him.”
Mark Atkinson of The Scotsman rated Robertson 8.5, while Doak charted at 7.5, he explained: “Won his 80th cap in Warsaw, joining Darren Fletcher in third place for all-time appearances. Came close just before the break with an effort that was deflected over.
“Stretched at times defensively, the Liverpool man looked to be suffering from an injury from 60 minutes onwards but cajoled the team on until the very end, popping up at the far post to head home in stoppage time. A proper captain’s moment.
“Was there any doubt he would start?,” he added on Doak. “The jet-heeled winger picked up from where he left off against Croatia, supplying John McGinn for the opening goal with a nice pass and then consistently driving at the Polish defence.
“As expected for one so young at 18, he doesn’t get everything right in the final moment, but he was Scotland’s most dangerous outlet yet again. A player who gets you on the edge of your seat. Came off on 66 minutes for Ryan Christie.”
