MEMPHIS DEPAY stuck a clog into Scotland with a Pittodrie winner.
But for once there was no critical need to also put a boot into our national team.
Malky Mackay spoke of a desire to give the Tartan Army a feeling of hope at full-time in the aftermath of yet another crushing qualifying campaign. But in debutants Ryan Jack, Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor we had performers of genuine promise. And John McGinn also showed he is more than capable of stepping into missing skipper Scott Brown’s shoes with an aggressive, assertive display – especially second half.
Mackay gave the captaincy to Kieran Tierney who, at 20, became our second youngest leader in a century behind the also absent Darren Fletcher. And the prodigious Celtic kid once more demonstrated his character and ability. McGinn’s appearance was a surprise but Stuart Armstrong had suffered an injury in training the night before. There was a creditable 16,000-plus crowd inside Pittodrie – and ex-Aberdeen skipper Jack was booed as the line-ups were announced and thereafter with every touch.
The locals don’t appreciate their players leaving for Rangers. Never mind he was trying his best for the country. Mackay had passionately defended Scottish football with his pre-match comments, but even he would surely have felt a little embarrassed by the farcical fact we needed THREE balls in as many minutes with French ref Ruddy Buquet rating each of them too soft. But it was the hopes of the Scots fans for real excitement that were to quickly go flat. Some decent moments of skill apart from the likes of McGregor and Christie, the first half was dull. Scotland – at least looking the part in a smart, classically designed new home kit - were aiming to go a calendar year without losing at the eighth time of asking.
And they could’ve taken the lead from one of two glaring opportunities within seconds in the seventh minute. First makeshift striker Matt Phillips had a close range shot brilliantly blocked by Karim Rekik and from the ricochet an unmarked James Forrest, 12 yards out, had an effort of his own also superbly deflected to safety by Nathan Ake. At that stage it was promising for a young Scots team who looked comfortable enough in the opening stages against a nation nowhere near what it used to be at international level – now two successive tournament qualifying failures – but still a great name.
Phillips was too slow to make the most of a long ball from Tierney, holding off too long to have a shot when appearing to be clear in on goal and allowing a blocking tackle from Rekik.
By the 15th minute, however, the game had become a non-event.
Tierney’s biggest early worry – with the Dutch offering nothing in attack - came from the hapless Christophe Berra who clattered him when going for the same high ball.
Dick Advocaat’s side showed up for the first time as a threat with a 27th minute corner – ultimately Danny Blind shooting high and wide from distance.
Then onetime Manchester United dud Depay produced a trundler which was easy for Scots No1 Craig Gordon.
It was hardly gripping stuff for the fans, including less than 100 in the South Stand for Holland.
From The Sun
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