Still, their hosts had beaten the Republic of Ireland in their opening Nations League match 10 days earlier at the same venue. So the comfortable 4-1 victory, which moved Steve Clarke’s side into second spot in Group B1, was celebrated joyously by the travelling supporters. The play-off match being switched from March to June certainly did not help matters. Nathan Patterson and Kieran Tierney, two certain starters who had been immense for their country in both defence and attack in the previous months, were also missing due to injury. His team selection, tactics and substitutions all came in for criticism from fans and pundits following the Ukraine and Ireland reverses.

Source: The Herald September 17, 2022 11:13 UTC