IT was a night of huge ups and downs for Scotland yesterday.
Steve Clarke‘s side went three goals down in Greece before beginning to mount a surprise comeback, but could only get as far as 3-2 by the full-time whistle.
And elsewhere, a draw between Denmark and Belarus kept hopes of direct 2026 World Cup qualification alive.
But for the player’s on the pitch, while they may have been unlucky not to get something in the end, a lot of the match wasn’t good enough.
Just seven minutes into the game the Scots were trailing thanks to Anastasios Bakasetas.
But defender Aaron Hickey kept the belief even when the game looked over.
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He said: “It was a tough game for us at the start, really tough. But we knew we just had to dig in.
“After going three goals down in the second half, we somehow managed to build momentum and get two back.
“But it was a difficult game for us.
“I’m not sure why the start wasn’t what we wanted. We got a bit mixed up and Greece were really good.
“It was hard for us but we knew it would be.
“Even at 3-0 down, I think in these type of games you always just have to believe you can still get something.
“We did that and we showed that. In the second half, we proved that we can play well and create good chances.
“We’re a good team, we just need to have that confidence in games.”
After countless near misses for tournament qualification, this looked like yet another fall at the last hurdle was on the cards.
But the handy results in Denmark has set up a straight shootout at Hampden on Tuesday where the winner on the night can make it directly to next year’s finals.
Hickey opened up on how the squad were hearing news from the other match in the group: “I would say it’s a feeling of relief. We’re all really positive and now we’re really looking forward to the game on Tuesday.
“It’s a winner-takes-all game and we know Denmark are a good side.
“But the lads will be up for it at Hampden.
“When I was on the pitch, I didn’t know anything about the Denmark game, I wasn’t getting any information.
“I was just focusing on our game. But when I came off and sat on the bench, some boys were saying it was 2-1 Belarus at the time.
“Could I believe it? Well, I was shocked to be honest.
“At the end, it was a good feeling on the pitch when we heard the Denmark game had finished.
“It made us all really positive again and looking ahead to Tuesday.
“It’s going to be a massive game but these are the games every player wants to play in.
“It will be exciting and I’m sure the atmosphere will be unreal.
“The Denmark result has gone our way tonight and kept us in it. So we have to go and grasp the opportunity now, 100 percent.
“There’s no point letting our heads go down about this result with such a big game coming up.
“We’ll keep our heads up and put our full focus into Tuesday.
“We need Hampden to be rocking because the fans help us massively. We just want to get out there.”
Only recently returning from an injury nightmare, the Brentford full-back wasn’t part of last year’s major international tournament in Germany.
He continued: “It would mean everything to me to do it and get to the World Cup.
“It’s everything you dream of as a kid. Just playing for your country and knowing you can have an impact is massive.
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“When I was out injured, obviously I was unlucky to miss out on the Euros.
“But I always targeted the World Cup which is even bigger. So I’m delighted to be part of this group and have a chance to do it.”
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