Ronaldo breaks cover after treating himself to extra night in plush hotel

By DAVID FRIEL

RONALDO, can we have your shirt please?

Posters of that type could be seen dotted around Hampden as the football icon rolled into town.

But if anyone deserved Cristiano’s No7 Portugal top as a memento from last night it was arguably Scotland defender John Souttar.

The sight of Ronaldo storming up the tunnel in a huff at full-time after a frustrating night up against the big centre-back was lapped up by the Tartan Army.

Ably assisted by sidekick Grant Hanley and the rest of Steve Clarke’s back four, the Rangers stopper ensured the great man drew a blank for once.

This was the ultimate test for Souttar and while there were a few scares, he passed it with a solid display at the heart of the Scotland defence.

Clarke singled him out for his performance against Croatia and there was little doubt he would stay in for this one.

The absence of Kieran Tierney, Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry clearly helped the Rangers man’s case during this camp.

But Clarke had publicly urged Souttar to take his chance and he did that over the last two games.

It wasn’t perfect from the 28-year-old. Slack balls out of defence in the first half needlessly put Scotland under pressure.

But maybe, six years on from his first senior cap, Souttar has finally arrived as an international player.

Certainly, on this evidence, he deserves to keep his place for the final two Nations League games.

Now 28, injury has undoubtedly contributed to Souttar’s tally of just 10 full caps.

Axed from the Euros squad in the summer, you wondered whether he would have a role to play under Clarke.

Yet, just months later, it’s now his jersey to lose as Souttar brought his strong club form onto the international scene.

He played his part in an encouraging Scotland performance but there was only one Hampden headline act.

There were 22 players on the pitch at kick-off but if felt like all eyes were on Ronaldo.

That trademark ‘Siuuu’ celebration noise was replaced by deafening boos every time he touched it.

The Al Nassr striker played up to his role as the Hampden panto villain and was in the thick of things.

From moaning to the ref to almost taking Billy Gilmour’s napper off with a wild overhead kick, he was box-office.

When Ronaldo messed up a free-kick routine, the mocking cheers filled Hampden.

When he blazed a decent chance over the bar, the roof nearly came off the old stadium.

As always, CR7 was desperate to score and his eyes lit up when a floated cross picked him out.

But Souttar was alert – tracking the run and showing terrific aggression to get his head on the ball.

Concentration was key for the Scotland defender all night.  From set-pieces and open play, Ronaldo kept him on his toes.

If he wasn’t dropping deep, he was wandering offside before jumping back on.

When his team-mates burst into the six-yard box for a cross at the start of the second half, he lost everyone by hanging back.

Yet once again, his aim was off as the header soared over Craig Gordon’s bar.

That was a let-off for Souttar and co. and the Gers man was also the victim of a Ronaldo nutmeg as Hanley covered well.

The longer the game went on, the more frustrated the Portugal captain became.

He took a strop after Ben Doak was all over him like a rash as they contested the ball.

Ronaldo then delivered a lecture to Portugal sub Rafael Leao when he failed to read the flight of a cross.

His mood darkened further after he screwed a shot wide. Ref Lawrence Visser got the brunt of his moans this time.

Yet you always wondered whether Ronaldo would have the final say in this one – just like in Lisbon last month.

Instead, his only remaining act was to glance at a pitch invader who was rugby tackled as he made a beeline in his direction.

But you never know, maybe he was really after a John Souttar selfie?