JOHN SOUTTAR insists ALL of Scotland’s players are to blame for their horror 3-1 defeat to Iceland – not just cock-up keeper Cieran Slicker.
The Ipswich reserve goalie won his first cap as an early sub for crocked Angus Gunn but had a nightmare evening.
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Slicker was to blame for all three of Iceland’s goals, including a bizarre third which went right through him.
But Souttar – who briefly levelled with a first-half header – maintains the 22-year-old shouldn’t be singled out because EVERYONE was shocking.
He said: “I’ve not spoken to him, to be honest, but tonight was collective and everyone has to take responsibility.
“Will it be a learning experience for him? I’m sure it will be and everyone has had it in their career.
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“But the result is collective, I don’t think any of us could say we were great in the game so it’s on all of us.
“We were poor tonight.
“I don’t think we did enough on the ball, we didn’t create enough chances, Iceland kept the ball better than us and moved us about.
“Games like this at Hampden, we want to dominate, press high and get the crowd going.
“But tonight we didn’t do that.
“It’s difficult, boys have played all season but Iceland have been the same, their players have been playing all season.
“We have to go into the game on Monday against Liechtenstein and get some momentum back ahead of the internationals in September.”
The Tartan Army made their feelings about the performance obvious, booing Clarke’s team off at half-time and again at the end.
And Souttar has no complaints about anyone venting their fury.
He said: “It’s not great and you don’t want to be part of that.
“But the fans are great, they pay their money so they can boo if they want.
“We were not good enough first half.
“It’s not great to hear but it’s part and parcel of football.
“The fans are great when we win.”
Scotland have shipped six goals in their last two games and beyond the keeper crisis, Steve Clarke’s defence is creaking badly.
Souttar knows they have to be miles better when the World Cup qualifiers kick off against Denmark in September.
And if it’s not their qualification hopes will quickly go up in smoke.
How they rated
Angus Gunn – Came for a cross in the first minute but crumpled with an ankle problem so was unable to continue. Terrible timing given he is without a club having left Norwich. 1
Max Johnston – Given his chance on the right hand side and made a positive impact. Will be disappointed he didn’t make more of a back post chance to score. A decent start. 6
John Souttar – Showed great strength inside the box to hold off his marker and head home Max Johnston’s wicked corner. Will be furious at the goals Scotland lost. 5
Grant Hanley – Tried to show Andri Gudjohnsen inside after Cieran Slicker’s poor kick but ended up with egg on his face as he whipped it into the top corner from 25 yards. Grim night. 4
Kieran Tierney – 50th cap and a poor occasion to hit that milestone. Matched Albert Gudmindsson’s runs all night before going off for debut man Lennon Miller in the closing stages. 5
Andy Robertson – Bombed up and down the left flank as he usually does but final balls were lacking the precision to really hurt Iceland. Skipper has to drag Scotland’s defence out of this rot. 5
John McGinn – Patrolled the middle of the park as he usually does but nothing really came off for him high up the pitch. Scotland will need him refreshed and flying in September. 5
Billy Gilmour – Did precisely what you expect from him now. Kept possession and the ball ticking over as the link man all over the pitch. Below his best like so many. 5
Lewis Ferguson – Didn’t know much about it at the own goal which put Iceland back in front. Unlucky as a comedy pinball moment saw the ball crack off him and squirm past Cieran Slicker. 5
Scott McTominay – Started on the left of midfield, tasked with supporting George Hirst. Few flashes of what he can do but a big game player so he keeps the real heroics for when it counts. 5
George Hirst – Missed an early header then denied his first Scotland goal by two great saves from the Iceland goalie then an offside call after scoring. Showed he’s got some promise. 6
Subs:
Cieran Slicker (Gunn 6) – Debut didn’t go to plan, that’s for sure. Poor kick for the opener, flailing at the second, even worse at the third. Difficult not to feel sorry for him at times. 2
Lennon Miller (Tierney 67) – First cap. 3
Scott McKenna (Hanley 67) – Shored it up a bit late on. 3
Che Adams (Hirst 67) – No chances. 3
Nathan Patterson (Johnston 79) – Replaced Johnston. 2
Tommy Conway (McTominay 79) – On for McTominay. 2
He said: “We went through a spell where were keeping clean sheets and defending well towards the end of the last campaign.
“Even against Greece in the first game we defended well.
“But the last two games haven’t been good enough and everyone is well aware of that.
“We need to be better, this was a friendly but it’s important we put it right in September because that’s the big one.
“I’m sure if we do that there will be a much better atmosphere.
“You never want to go into a game wanting to lose, never.
“But if this time next year we are in a good position to go a World Cup then things will feel a lot better.
“It’s always important when you play for your country, the next few months are huge because the games are coming again in September.
“We need to get some momentum going again.”
Gunn hobbled off after twisting his ankle in the first minute and now faces trying to find a club while nursing an injury.
The keeper will become a free agent this summer after Norwich didn’t offer him a new deal so Souttar hopes he makes a speedy recovery.
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He said: “It has been a long season and the last thing you want towards the end of it is losing players to injury.
“Hopefully Gunny is okay but obviously it was a blow losing our keeper.”
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