Steve Clarke often faces scrutiny for his preference towards veterans, those reliable faces of the Scotland national team who have contributed significantly over the years. While the Tartan Army holds immense appreciation for these players, there’s a palpable urge for the leash to be loosened on the younger, exhilarating talent waiting in the wings—especially with some seasoned players struggling for form at their clubs, and in some cases, not playing at all.
The conspicuous absence of young talent like Lennon Miller from Motherwell sparked considerable discussion prior to the match. However, one cannot fault Clarke for his decision to stick with Ben Doak, the shining prospect of Scottish football. But selecting his Middlesbrough teammate, Tommy Conway, to lead the line instead of Lyndon Dykes was rather unexpected.
With Che Adams sidelined due to injury, and his five goals this season contrasting sharply with the solitary strikes from Dykes and Lawrence Shankland, opting for the 22-year-old Conway seemed logical on the surface. Yet, it was still a revelation to see his name in the starting eleven, particularly with experienced players like John McGinn relegated to the bench.
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This raises questions about the historical hesitance of Clarke and others to embrace youth in the national setup—after all, 22 years old is considered quite young in this context. The Hampden crowd was buzzing to witness what Conway could bring on his debut start.
From the outset, he showcased a significant amount of heart and hustle. It’s an essential trait for anyone donning the role of a Scotland striker, often described by Ally McCoist as football’s most solitary position.
During the early stages, the skilled Croatians seized the initiative, pinning Scotland deep within their territory. The navy blue shirts assembled in front of goalkeeper Craig Gordon looked to Conway for some reprieve. He tirelessly chased down hopeful balls and held play up admirably while awaiting support.
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The atmosphere intensified when the ball found its way to Doak on the right flank. Facing Manchester City’s brilliant defender, Josko Gvardiol, it was indeed a difficult task, but Doak responded with a mesmerizing flick that sent the Tartan Army into a frenzy, setting up Scott McTominay for what was the first real save of the match from Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski.
Despite this, Croatia continued to look the more dangerous side as half-time drew closer, until a moment of madness from Petar Sucic, receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on John Souttar, handed Scotland a lifeline.
The pivotal question for the second half was whether Scotland could capitalize on the additional space created by Sucic’s dismissal and spring into action with Doak and Conway when opportunities arose, particularly on transitions.
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The answer came close to being yes but teetered on the edge of failure. A chance arose when Billy Gilmour fed Doak, setting him up to square it to Conway for what seemed a certain goal—but the cross was misdirected, wasting a golden opportunity.
In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Gilmour had another opportunity presented to him by the Croatian defense, yet, to the surprise of many, his shot soared high and wide when he usually exudes calmness under pressure.
Recognizing the situation, Clarke opted to bring on two of his seasoned players—Dykes and McGinn—while Conway exited after making a commendable impact in his debut.
With Scotland pressing for a win that could bolster their chances of finishing second in this Nations League group—and to ensure they retain their spot in the ‘A’ section—there were some anxious moments as Andy Robertson, enduring a frustrating outing, misfired a couple of crosses.
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As the match wore on, it seemed that even against ten men, Scotland might fall short once again. While there have been glimpses of promise in this campaign, they often left feeling hard done by with their tally of points. However, on this occasion, that sentiment would soon change.
Just as the Tartan Army was hunting for silver linings—drawing excitement from the emerging talent in Conway and the spark of Doak—a familiar face from the old guard showed he still had plenty to offer. It was Doak who orchestrated the decisive moment, racing down the right before cutting back the ball to the edge of the area, where McGinn arrived with his signature timing, slotting it into the top corner.
This marked Scotland’s first victory in 11 matches, promising a brighter future as they look towards the World Cup qualifiers. By that time, Conway and Doak would have grown significantly from this experience, and are likely to play vital roles alongside steadfast veterans like McGinn in Scotland’s quest to return to the international stage last graced in a time before either of the newcomers were even born.
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