“John McGinn was seen to be critical of Callum McGregor and Anthony Ralston,” explained McFadden. “McGregor usually plays those forward passes, but he seemed hesitant. Ralston, on the other hand, went for the big diagonal pass instead. When the ball came to McGinn, he struggled to create something.”
The issue of creating chances consistently seems to be a persistent problem, with James Forrest left on the bench. This issue was not only evident in the second game, but Shane Duffy also mentioned it after the loss to Hungary.
Forrest had fought his way back into the Scotland squad after an impressive end of the season with Celtic. However, his absence from the starting lineup raises questions about Steve Clarke’s decision-making.
If Scotland was consistently creating chances, then perhaps leaving Forrest on the bench could be justified. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, and the team’s inability to create opportunities raises concerns.
Celtic trio McGregor, Ralston, and Forrest are now returning home early following Scotland’s Euro 2024 exit. Despite high hopes and expectations, the team only managed one point and struggled to find the back of the net.
McGregor, in particular, has faced criticism for his performance during the tournament, especially after Scotland’s defeat to Germany. The lack of attacking intensity was evident, and the players appeared passive, as noted by McFadden during the commentary.
Overall, Scotland’s struggles in creating chances and finding the back of the net ultimately led to their early exit from the tournament. The team’s performance highlights the need for improvement in the attacking aspect of their game.
