STEVE CLARKE had a three-point plan in Greece.
Instead, Scotland didn’t half get away with one.
Clarke came for a win but ended up with a defeat. Yet somehow, direct qualification for the World Cup remains on.
He will be hugely relieved at the outcome — a Hampden winner-takes-all clash with Denmark was always the aim.
But while the Tartan Army can still dare to dream, this wasn’t a night of celebration for the Scotland squad.
Clarke and his players have Belarus to thank for their Group C reprieve.
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Yet, let’s be clear here. If Scotland play like this they will have no chance of beating the Danes. Don’t panic was boss Clarke’s message to his players.
It was simple. Keep your nerve. Show composure. Stay calm.
Wise words, but pointless when his team do the exact opposite on the pitch.
Scotland routinely panicked at the back as Greece took a 3-0 lead. Clarke’s men also fell to pieces in front of goal at vital moments on a chaotic night of qualifying.
It looked like a Greek tragedy for Scotland as a World Cup play-off in March loomed.
But it felt worse than that. Much worse.
Clarke and his players were 180 minutes away from the World Cup going into this game. They were on the cusp of greatness in a match that could define careers — but they just never turned up.
Quite simply, they weren’t good enough at both ends.
It was miles off Scotland’s best level.
It was head-scratching stuff as this was a strong and experienced side, but the start was awful.
Clarke’s team had the approval from the Tartan Army, with Ben Gannon-Doak asked to provide the X-Factor.
The big call was in goal but Craig Gordon’s presence didn’t come as any shock when you factor in his experience.
Sure, it was a gamble but chucking Liam Kelly or Scott Bain into such a monumental fixture also came with risk.
Gordon hadn’t played for Scotland in 237 days. It had been 196 days since his last competitive club game.
But you would never have known that by the way he kept Scotland in the match early on.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Greeks could have been 4-0 up after half an hour. This was a Piraeus pounding, with the Scots all over the place at the back.
How they rated
CRAIG GORDON
Veteran produced strong early save from Pavlidis but couldn’t keep out Bakasetas follow up. Denied Karetas, Tzolis and Retsos with fine stops to keep Scots in it. Powerless to stop second but shouldn’t have been beaten by third. 5
AARON HICKEY
This was just his third game since the end of September. Found out of position at times but grew into game. Excellent cross for Adams chance before half-time. 5
JOHN SOUTTAR
Wants to emulate little bro Harry and play at a World Cup. Terrible error from Rangers stopper in build-up to Greek opener, allowing ball to bounce into danger zone. 4
GRANT HANLEY
Stepped unnecessarily high, allowing Grece to pour forward into gaps. Terrible early backpass put his side under needless pressure, with another misplaced pass before break going unpunished.Yet another mistake for Greece’s second, allowing Tetteh to get in behind. 4
ANDY ROBERTSON
Tricky task up against Greek whizz-kid Konstantinos Karetsas. Got away with misjudged clearance as teen waltzed in behind him. Skipper wasn’t involved as much as he’d like but did step up with sensational cross for Christie’s goal. 6
LEWIS FERGUSON
Bologna star preferred to Kenny McLean in engine room. First half yellow had midfielder walking a tightrope. Failed to make much of an impact on the ball but drew Bakasetas into late red card. 5
RYAN CHRISTIE
Tasked with controlling game in Billy Gilmour’s absence. Failed to capitalise on multiple decent positions. Teed up Adams selflessly but should have netted himself. Sublime header to grab Scotland’s second. 6
JOHN McGINN
Aston Villa star struggled to make an impact from out wide but involved in build up to key McTominay chance. Excellent assist for Gannon-Doak after quick free-kick that sparked fightback. Almost set up last gasp leveller in injury-time. 7
SCOTT McTOMINAY
Netted on his last visit to this stadium in March. Napoli ace hardly touched the ball in the first half but almost netted sweet curling effort that cracked off the bar. Denied by excellent save late on. 6
BEN GANNON-DOAK
End product often failed to match up to electric pace. Should have netted equaliser when sent clean through but hit straight at keeper. Grabbed first international goal in second half but was only a consolation. 6
CHE ADAMS
Hold up play was lacking throughout. Sweet flick teed up McTominay. Headed into side netting from promising position. Showed persistent lack of predatory instinct by spurning two glorious second half opportunities. 4
SUBS:
Scott McKenna (5) and Tony Ralston (5) had little to do defensively in the closing stages. Lawrence Shankland (4) and Lyndon Dykes (4) were given eight paltry minutes to make an impact as Scots chased a late leveller. George Hirst (3) given just two minutes and almost netted equaliser.
Clarke had urged his players to stay calm when the heat was on. Minutes before kick-off on live TV, he told the nation that Scotland had to be better on the ball.
Well, those messages never got through as Clarke’s players toiled badly. There was such a lethargy about Scotland as they made bad decisions all over the pitch in a frantic opening spell.
Composure? Nous? Forget about it. This was rushed.
Greece pressed and squeezed Scotland, winning the ball back far too easily.
For all Gordon’s brilliant shot-stopping, his habit of sending aimless kicks up the park didn’t help settle things down. Yet maybe the big keeper simply wanted the ball as far away as possible from an error-strewn defence.
The Scotland back four looked uncomfortable from the very start against a bright Greek attack.
Tasos Bakasetas’ opener summed it up amid some comedy defending.
John Souttar misjudged a long ball after hesitation with Andy Robertson. Grant Hanley was weak as he tried to clear up the mess and Gordon was beaten at the second attempt.
The Hearts veteran would have hoped for a quiet re-introduction but it was the complete opposite.
Shots rained down on the Scotland goal and Gordon pulled off a string of stops.
Clarke’s men had to ride out the storm and miraculously they emerged only 1-0 down.
Then Scotland suddenly started to click.
Scott McTominay rattled the bar and there was a flicker of belief. Che Adams almost headed in from a tight angle before Gannon-Doak missed a golden chance on the stroke of half-time.
The little winger’s sublime turn and touch saw him break free but he couldn’t find the finish to match.
But it was so much better from Scotland and that gave Clarke’s players hope.
The Piraeus crowd was sparse but the vocal Tartan Army made themselves heard as the players emerged for the second half.
Gannon-Doak asked them to raise the decibel levels after Scotland’s first attack. Minutes later, they should have been celebrating the equaliser after Ryan Christie and Che Adams contrived to waste a chance.
It was inevitable that these misses would come back to haunt Scotland and they did.
By 63 minutes, the Greeks were 3-0 up as Clarke’s side were ripped apart again. It was surely all over. Thoughts started to turn to the play-off.
Then came the chaos.
Gannon-Doak stole in to make it 3-1 and Belarus turned up in Copenhagen.
When Ryan Christie’s header found the corner, the drama turned up a notch.
Adams again made a hash of a terrific opening as they chased an equaliser.
McTominay was denied by an unbelievable save before Clarke threw on every Scotland striker bar Ally McCoist.
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The goal never arrived but thankfully Denmark also failed to find their winner.
Now for Hampden and the biggest Scotland game in a generation. All together folks . . . don’t panic!
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