When Steve Clarke said Scotland had no interest in the soft option of the Nations League’s second tier, he was not kidding. Scotland scrapped, scratched and clung on for dear life in the first leg of this clash with Greece. The upshot is a highly favourable position before the teams meet again on Sunday in Glasgow.
Scotland probably did not deserve this victory. The Tartan Army had to watch the second half through their fingers. Greece will complain vehemently about the circumstances attached to the only goal of the game. Still, Scotland’s attitude alone meant they were deserving of good fortune. They opened 2025 in the same manner as 2024 was closed, against a team who have a formidable home record. Hampden Park and the second leg promises to be quite the spectacle.
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Clarke had resisted strong temptation to deploy fit-again Kieran Tierney from the start. Scotland’s manager determined recent success with four at the back mattered more than finding a role for the Arsenal player. With Tierney and Andy Robertson both involved, Scotland have typically reverted to a five-man backline. Clarke will also have been mindful of Tierney’s lack of action at club level, given the inevitable intensity of back-to-back clashes with Greece. Clarke’s key switch involved the introduction of Lewis Ferguson, outstanding upon return from injury at Bologna, to his midfield.
It may be that Greece consider it unfair they find themselves in this scenario at all. They lost one of six matches in Group B2, with England squeezing into the top tier at their expense. Scotland had looked certain for automatic relegation before a stirring finish to their league campaign, epitomised by Robertson’s 93rd-minute winner against Poland in November. That Warsaw moment earned potential salvation via this Greece tie. Robertson returned to his international happy place following a domestic spell which has seen Liverpool bundled out of the Champions League and endure defeat in the League Cup final.
The had match opened in breathless style before Anthony Ralston produced a terrific header to clear a menacing Georgios Masouras cross. Despite impressive ball retention Scotland offered little by way of attacking response until the 26th minute, when the marauding Ché Adams failed to find Scott McTominay.
The key moment of the opening half involved both McTominay and the whiff of controversy. The Napoli midfielder first appeared to stand on the ball upon entering the Greece penalty area, but Lazaros Rota collided with him thereafter. A spot-kick was awarded, with McTominay dusting himself down to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and notch his 12th Scotland goal. All of them have come in competitive matches. Greece had vehemently contested the decision as, in fairness, would Scotland had the scenario played out in reverse.
Scotland screamed for another penalty three minutes before the break as Kostas Tsimikas nudged Billy Gimour. In truth, Gilmour should have done better with what was a fine scoring opportunity. So, too, should Adams after Greece botched a goal kick routine. Adams flashed another shot wide in the dying seconds. Scotland reached the dressing room with spring in step.
Greece had the ball in the net five minutes after the re-start. It had, however, crossed the byline before Christos Tzolis knocked it home. The moment epitomised Greece’s new approach, which saw the Scots forced to defend with increased desperation. Kostas Karetsas, the 17-year-old introduced at half-time, was central to the hosts’ spell of dominance. By the hour, Scotland were weathering a storm. Seven minutes later, the post saved Clarke’s men after a glorious Karetsas cross found Tzolis. By the time John Souttar deflected a Tzolis shot wide – the Scotland defender knew little about this – it felt a matter of time before an equaliser landed.
Clarke unsurprisingly turned to Tierney as Scotland looked to turn the tide. There was also a debut for George Hirst, the former England youth international. From somewhere, somehow, Scotland sought breathing space.
Greece were awarded an 84th minute penalty, Grant Hanley’s lazy leg catching Taxiarchis Fountas. The decision was soon and correctly overturned; the foul took place outside the penalty area. Dimitrios Pelkas whacked the free-kick into the Scottish wall. This summed up Greece’s night. Scotland are 90 minutes from remaining at the top table.
