Clarke hails Scots' 'character'
New head coach Steve Clarke said the "character" of his Scotland side "bodes well for the future" after they snatched a 2-1 Euro 2020 qualification win against Cyprus.
The 55-year-old, who was appointed Alex McLeish's successor after leaving his role at Kilmarnock last month, looked like having to settle for a Group I draw in his first game at the helm when Ioannis Kousoulos headed in from close-range on 87 minutes to cancel out Andrew Robertson's stunning strike on the hour.
However, Oliver Burke had the vast majority of the Hampden Park crowd celebrating a minute from time when he tapped in the rebound after his initial header came back off the post.
Lots to work on, for sure, but let's just enjoy the win and then we'll work on the next game.
Steve Clarke
The win moves Scotland up to third in the group behind Russia and leaders Belgium, who the Tartan Army travel to face on Tuesday.
Speaking after the Cyprus game, Clarke said: "We knew if we didn't get maximum points, the group was almost beyond us.
"I thought we had really good control of the game. I couldn't see Cyprus scoring from open play. Unfortunately, we switch off from a set-play and get punished.
"But, after that, the character and resilience. It would have been easy for them to feel sorry for themselves but they didn't and I think that bodes well for the future.
"Lots to work on, for sure, but let's just enjoy the win and then we'll work on the next game."
Looking ahead to the game against the Belgians, who have won all three of their matches in the group, Clarke added: "Belgium are the best team in the world but we can go there with a little bit of hope. We know we are back in the group and we go there confident and without the pressure we had tonight."
Belgium are 1/7 to win Tuesday's game, while Scotland are priced at 18/1 with the draw 13/2.
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New head coach Steve Clarke said the "character" of his Scotland side "bodes well for the future" after they snatched a 2-1 Euro 2020 qualification win against Cyprus.
The 55-year-old, who was appointed Alex McLeish's successor after leaving his role at Kilmarnock last month, looked like having to settle for a Group I draw in his first game at the helm when Ioannis Kousoulos headed in from close-range on 87 minutes to cancel out Andrew Robertson's stunning strike on the hour.
However, Oliver Burke had the vast majority of the Hampden Park crowd celebrating a minute from time when he tapped in the rebound after his initial header came back off the post.
Lots to work on, for sure, but let's just enjoy the win and then we'll work on the next game.
Steve Clarke
The win moves Scotland up to third in the group behind Russia and leaders Belgium, who the Tartan Army travel to face on Tuesday.
Speaking after the Cyprus game, Clarke said: "We knew if we didn't get maximum points, the group was almost beyond us.
"I thought we had really good control of the game. I couldn't see Cyprus scoring from open play. Unfortunately, we switch off from a set-play and get punished.
"But, after that, the character and resilience. It would have been easy for them to feel sorry for themselves but they didn't and I think that bodes well for the future.
"Lots to work on, for sure, but let's just enjoy the win and then we'll work on the next game."
Looking ahead to the game against the Belgians, who have won all three of their matches in the group, Clarke added: "Belgium are the best team in the world but we can go there with a little bit of hope. We know we are back in the group and we go there confident and without the pressure we had tonight."
Belgium are 1/7 to win Tuesday's game, while Scotland are priced at 18/1 with the draw 13/2.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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