Croatia vs Scotland: UEFA Nations League – BBC Sport

When Adams wheeled away in celebration having thought he had helped snatch a draw with the final kick of the game, there was a sense Scotland were about to get what their performance merited.

Missing over 10 players including John McGinn, Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson, Scott McKenna, and with Adams not fit enough to start, Clarke’s depleted group were mostly disciplined and restricted Croatia to few quality chances.

Up the other end 18-year-old Doak in particular shone on his first start, driving the team forward up the right wing and helping tee up Christie’s opener.

There were enough bright points, as there were in defeats by Poland and Portugal, but again it ended in a close one-goal defeat.

The stats make for grim reading given it is one win – against Gibraltar – in their last 15 outings, while it is now 35 goals conceded in that run.

However, that does not tell the whole story. It was always going to be tough for Scotland playing the very best in European international football, even with everyone fit and available.

But with so many players injured and amid a change of shape and style, the task has become even tougher.

Clarke has made sure Scotland have been competitive regardless, but the longer the poor run continues, the more talk of positives will fall on deaf ears.