Steve Clarke says Scotland deserves more respect after Austria’s World Cup qualifier win. football news

Steve Clark called for more respect from critics when Scotland claimed a resounding 1-0 win over Austria to bolster 2022 World Cup qualifying hopes.

After a 2–0 loss to fledgling Group F leaders Denmark and a narrow 1–0 victory over Moldova at Hampden Park, it was believed that the Scots had less in Vienna to remain in the race with their opponents and Israel. At least one point was required. for a place in the play-offs.

It turned out that striker Lyndon Dykes scored a VAR penalty in the 29th minute – his second goal in two games after their winner against Moldova at the weekend – to score three crucial points that allowed Scotland to finish second. Granted, one point ahead of Israel. Joe lost 5–0 to the Dane and will visit Hampden next month.

“We Have Another Cup Final Coming Up”

“It came as no surprise to me,” Clark said.

“It’s a really good group of players who want to be successful for their country and they showed it tonight. So that was cool.

“That means it’s another cup final [against Israel]. We should keep accumulating points.

“It was an important night for us to get something out of the game.

“We managed to come here and put in a good performance, a good football performance. When we got the ball, we passed it well.

“We are not a longball team like some people try to label us. we can play. If we have to last longer then we can play and fight for it.

“If we have to make a pass, we make a pass. We deserve a little more respect. “

“It was a tough week”

Clarke’s team traveled to Denmark last week to be decimated by injuries and coronavirus concerns and believes Israel’s defeat in Copenhagen puts their team’s loss in the semi-finals. ‘Euro 2020.

The former West Brom and Kilmarnock boss said: “We’ve had the toughest week, really tough.

“We went to Denmark which is a tough place to start, we had a lot of injuries and problems.

“We lost 2-0 at the start of the game, we came in and were really criticized for it. Israel went there tonight and lost 5-0.

“Then we knew we had to get something out of the next two games and we came with six points.

“If I had told you that we would have come with six points, you all would have been happy, so it was a good evening for us, I am really happy for the players. “

What did the players say?

Scottish striker Lyndon Diggs To aerial game: “We came here to win and we did.

“With every game this week we’ve gotten stronger and stronger – showing the solidarity we have. We work hard for each other and defense starts from the front.

“It wasn’t my best penalty but he went where I was aiming and he came in.”

Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon To aerial game: “We defended the club so well when needed. Whatever passed, I managed to stay away.

“It was a quiet evening from my point of view and I have in front of me to pay tribute to those who have been outstanding all night.

“We kept a clean sheet, it will be very important for the future. There hasn’t been a single person who has let the team down and that’s exactly what we need. “

“An exceptional defensive performance from Scotland”

Former Scotland striker James McFadden:

“I thought it was a great performance defensively. I thought the forwards were doing a little better too and we deserved to win the match.

“To me, there’s no debate on the penalty. It’s a penalty and Lyndon Dykes scored.

Which party. There was enormous pressure on the game and players must have felt it, especially against a team injured by a major defeat this weekend and a team that was expected to win, and Austria won the game. Started off so well.

“They put Scotland under a lot of pressure, and they were able to take that pressure, absorb it and use it to pull us forward.

“Defensively, it was an exceptional performance.”

And later?

Scotland back in World Cup qualifying next month when they host Israel on 9 October, live aerial game; start at 5 pm

He also faces a trip to the Faroe Islands on 12 October. aerial game; Start at 7.45 PM