Scotland 1 – 3 Iceland
It was a Scotland debut to overlook for Cieran Slicker with the goalkeeper at fault for all three targets of their pleasant defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park.
The goalkeeper, who featured for Ipswich for simply 9 minutes this season, was referred to as on after an early harm to Angus Gunn and his first job was to select the ball out of the web after Andri Gudjohnsen’s sensible curling effort.
George Hirst handed up an excellent likelihood however John Souttar did nod house from Max Johnston’s nook as Scotland pulled degree.
Scotland misplaced Angus Gunn to harm early on in opposition to Iceland
It was a brief celebration from the Tartan Military earlier than Lewis Ferguson despatched the ball previous a struggling Slicker and into his personal web to see Iceland forward on the break.
It was a tricky evening for Scotland at Hampden Park
22-year-old Slicker’s evening went from unhealthy to worse after the break when Victor Palsson’s header went by way of his palms for Iceland’s third.
Nothing went proper for Steve Clarke’s facet with VAR denying George Hirst his first worldwide aim, though a debut for 18-year-old Lennon Miller confirmed promising indicators for the longer term.
Hampden horror with extra jeers than cheers
Scotland’s Cieran Slicker struggled on his debut
Iceland had misplaced all six of their earlier conferences with Scotland however they deserved their first win.
Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston and Ipswich ahead George Hirst made their first begins in an in any other case skilled crew with defender Kieran Tierney successful his fiftieth cap enjoying in a again 5.
After a minute’s applause to recollect former Scottish FA president Jack McGinn, midfielder John McGinn’s grandfather, who died final month aged 92, play began then quickly stopped when Gunn – beginning as Craig Gordon was injured – stayed on the bottom after touchdown awkwardly.
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson (L) celebrates as Scotland’s Lewis Ferguson (R) scores an personal aim
After some therapy, the 29-year-old was changed by Slicker, who endured a nightmare begin.
His clearance was instantly returned to Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur – and from 20 yards, he drove the ball excessive previous Slicker.
Two extra poor kicks from the keeper did nothing for confidence. Within the twenty first minute, good urgent from McGinn gained him possession contained in the Iceland penalty space however from his pinpoint cross, Hirst headed over from six yards.
Then after Slicker had gathered a drive from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson on the second try, Hirst then examined Iceland goalkeeper Elias Olafsson with a drive which was tipped over the crossbar however from Johnston’s nook, Souttar stooped to move in from six yards.
Scotland started to search out some stream however when Albert Gundmundsson delivered a nook within the forty fourth minute, Slicker and his defenders didn’t cope with it and the ball ricocheted off a few gamers earlier than it got here off Ferguson and over the road.
Iceland’s Victor Palsson scores to make it 3-1
Boos rang across the stadium at half-time and there was extra consternation after 52 minutes when Palsson’s header from a Gudmundsson free-kick went by way of the palms of Slicker, with VAR confirming the aim after a suspicion of offside.
The Ipswich keeper was then sarcastically cheered by a number of the Tartan Military after a cushty accumulate.
On the different finish, Hirst’s effort from shut vary – it seemed just like the ball got here off his shoulder following a Johnston cross – was brilliantly saved by Olafsson.
The Iceland keeper was crushed within the 63rd minute by Hirst after parrying a Scott McTominay shot, however the Napoli midfielder was dominated offside.
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke (L) and Lennon Miller (R)
Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller got here on to make his Scotland debut within the 68th minute, together with striker Che Adams and defender Scott McKenna, by which period the house facet had gained the initiative.
Olafsson tipped McGinn’s intelligent chip over the crossbar within the 88th minute however there was no late Scotland siege.
Goalkeeper disaster for Clarke
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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke reveals his goalkeeper disaster as Cieran Slicker has a debut to overlook in opposition to Iceland
Steve Clarke was already quick on goalkeepers earlier than revealing Robby McCrorie had been injured within the warm-up…
He stated: “A troublesome evening, clearly did not get off to one of the best of begins. You lose your quantity two goalkeeper within the warm-up after which two minutes into the sport your primary will get injured as nicely.
“So, a tricky evening. I really feel slightly bit for younger Cieran. I am going to sit with him over the following couple of days and we’ll have slightly chat about it.
“He wasn’t fairly prepared for it. That is not his fault.
“That is the circumstances that dictated that. We’ll attempt to assist him as a lot as we are able to and he’ll recover from it.
“Goalkeepers are a resilient bunch.
“Craig Gordon’s injured, Liam Kelly’s injured, Zander Clark’s injured, Angus Gunn’s injured, Robby McCrorie’s injured.
“Luckily, we had younger Callan McKenna in coaching with us this week so Callan might be within the squad.
“We’ll have slightly scout round and see if anyone’s not on the seaside and obtainable to return.”