Steve Clarke named the same side as the one which saw off Serbia last week.Steve Clarke named the same side as the one which saw off Serbia last week.
Steve Clarke named the same side as the one which saw off Serbia last week.

How Scotland players rated in 1-0 Nations League defeat to Israel

Scotland needed a win in Israel to take the top spot in the Nations League group.
By David Oliver
Published 18th Nov 2020, 22:02 GMT
Updated 18th Nov 2020, 23:36 GMT

Manager Steve Clarke reverted to the same side which saw off Serbia – on penalties – last week for the crucial match in Netanya.

Lyndon Dykes, Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay all returned to the side as did the previously undefeated Declan Gallagher for his seventh cap.

But that proud record of the Motherwell defender is gone, and so have Scotland’s Nations League hopes. They’ll remain in the ‘B’ section after Czech Republic leap-frogged Steve Clarke's side and took promotion.

With the 2-0 win in Plzen even a draw wouldn’t have been enough for Scotland and Manor Solomon’s goal was crucial in Netanya in saving Israel from relegation too and denying Scotland the step up despite a 12-2 corner kick balance in the visitors’ favour.

Here’s how the Scotland players rated in the match, using our ratings scale.

Scale - 10: One of the best performances you've seen. 9: Outstanding. 8: Very good. 7: Good. 6: Average. 5: Poor, 4: Very poor. 3: A terrible day at the office. 2: Abysmal. 1: One of the worst performances you've seen.

No complaints over the goalkeeping hero from earlier in the break. Did what was asked with good save in either half and no chance with the goal. Quiet otherwise.

1. David Marshall - 7

No complaints over the goalkeeping hero from earlier in the break. Did what was asked with good save in either half and no chance with the goal. Quiet otherwise. Photo: Ian MacNicol

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Kept Dasa quiet throughout the first half - at expense of getting forward, but that allowed Tierney to press and saved Robertson's hamstring which kept him out of Sunday's defeat. Deliveries were dangerous and McKenna unlucky not to add from one.

2. Andy Robertson - 7

Kept Dasa quiet throughout the first half - at expense of getting forward, but that allowed Tierney to press and saved Robertson's hamstring which kept him out of Sunday's defeat. Deliveries were dangerous and McKenna unlucky not to add from one. Photo: JACK GUEZ

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Good going forward, and those passes are a real asset - but exploited for the Israel opener when Solomon tied him in a knot. Still learning his international role but will remain a regular in that slot despite defensive frailties.

3. Scott McTominay - 6

Good going forward, and those passes are a real asset - but exploited for the Israel opener when Solomon tied him in a knot. Still learning his international role but will remain a regular in that slot despite defensive frailties. Photo: JACK GUEZ

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Unbeaten defender loses his record and games began to catch up on him. Not as assured as previous international games and should have scored a free header in second half, but will be a key player for Clarke in future squads.

4. Declan Gallagher - 6

Unbeaten defender loses his record and games began to catch up on him. Not as assured as previous international games and should have scored a free header in second half, but will be a key player for Clarke in future squads. Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN

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Related topics:ScotlandLyndon DykesSteve ClarkeScott McTominay