Football
Nine Scotland players get 1/10 while one gets 0/10 in brutal ratings
“I can’t tell you how good Germany are because we were so poor tonight.”
Graeme Souness sums up Scotland’s nightmare performance in the opening match of Euro 2024 perfectly as they slumped to a 5-1 hiding in Munich.
Kieran Tierney celebrating winning a goal kick in the third minute was about as good as it got for Steve Clarke’s men, minus their rather fortuitous consolation goal.
Florian Wirtz swept the Germans ahead early on before Jamal Musiala smashed in their second to put the hosts in charge.
Things got worse for Scotland when Ryan Porteous was sent off for a high challenge on Ilkay Gundogan inside the box, with Kai Havertz scoring the resulting penalty.
Germany eased up after the break but still managed two more goals thanks to Niclas Fullkrug’s thunderous effort into the roof of the net before Emre Can struck from the edge of the box in stoppage time.
Scotland had something to celebrate on 87 minutes when Antonio Rudiger inadvertently turned the ball past Manuel Neuer after Scott McKenna headed the ball at the Real Madrid defender – although around a thousand of the travelling Tartan Army had already vacated the Allianz Arena by then.
It’s a shocking night for Scotland and talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham hasn’t held back on his player ratings, with substitute Grant Hanley getting the highest score of 5/10, while ten of those who entered the pitch on Friday night received a score of 1 or 0/10.
‘A captain that did not lead by example’
As Scotland’s most high-profile player, captain Andy Robertson needed to have a good night. He simply did not.
The Liverpool left-back wasn’t at fault for any of Germany’s goals but his usual leadership skills were somewhat lacking as Scotland capitulated in the first half by going 3-0 down and a man down.
Durham said: “Andy Robertson, 1/10. A captain that did not lead by example.”
His post-match comments didn’t go down particularly well with Roy Keane, either.
‘Absolutely atrocious’
It likely wouldn’t have made a difference to the result, but Porteous really didn’t think through his challenge on Gundogan which led to Germany’s penalty.
The wild challenge could’ve injured the Barcelona midfielder very badly and it also means the Watford defender’s Euro 2024 could be over with a suspension to follow.
Durham said: “0/10, absolutely atrocious.”
‘Did he even touch the ball?’
Che Adams was feeding off scraps throughout the night with Scotland having just 27 per cent possession.
He barely touched the ball but that’s not really a reflection on him, he was actually one of Scotland’s standout players with his 3/10 performance.
Durham said: “I’ll give him 3/10 because he worked hard but he was isolated. Did he even touch the ball? I can’t remember.”
Adrian Durham’s Scotland player ratings
Angus Gunn (1/10)
Anthony Ralston (1/10)
Andy Robertson (1/10)
Scott McTominay (1/10)
Callum McGregor (1/10)
Ryan Porteous (0/10)
Kieran Tierney 1/10
Ryan Christie (1/10)
Jack Hendry 1/10
Che Adams 3/10
Substitutes:
Grant Hanley (5/10)
Scott McKenna (3/10)
Lawrence Shankland, Kenny McLean and Billy Gilmour (N/A)