ENGLAND 0 SCOTLAND 0
CALLUM McGREGOR insists Scotland have thrown themselves a Euro Finals lifeline with their goalless stalemate against England at Wembley tonight.
The Celtic midfielder put in an impressive 90 minutes as the Scots got on the board with a point after the disappointment of the 2-0 loss to Czech Republic at Hampden on Monday.
Steve Clarke’s men play Croatia in Glasgow on Tuesday night and a win will put them on four points.
McGregor, speaking to STV, said: “We’ve given ourselves a chance. Now we have to stay calm, but to a man everyone was outstanding.
“We showed great team spirit, personality, great energy and we have to harness that for the game against Croatia.
“We ran our legs off tonight. Tactically, we were excellent. When we had the ball we were really comfortable in possession, built our way up the pitch. We had great chances, as well, so a great night.”
The Scots, though, lived dangerously in the 14th minute when a Mason Mount right-wing corner-kick fell to the unguarded John Stones, but he directed his six-yard header onto David Marshall’s left-wing post with the goal gaping.
In the 30th minute, Clarke’s side came so close to opening the scoring when a volley from Stephen O’Donnell was zooming towards its target until Jordan Pickford sprawled to his right to push upwards and away.
Che Adams tried to knock the rebound into the net, but his header swept wide of the post.
Billy Gilmour, the 20-year-old debutant, was teaming up superbly with McGregor and John McGinn in the middle of the park as the visitors grew in confidence and had periods in control. Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney were also dovetailing superbly on the left.
At the start of the second-half, Marshall kept the Scots in it with a brilliant save low at his right-hand post from a vicious drive from Mount from the edge of the area.
In the 62nd minute, Lyndon Dykes came the closest to breaking the deadlock when his hooked shot left Pickford stranded, but Reece James raced back to head clear as the effort looked like nestling in the top corner.
Adams also had a chance when he slashed at a left-wing cross and his drive whipped wide of the post.
Earlier in the day, Croatia and Czech Republic drew 1-1 in Glasgow.
Now all eyes are on the national stadium on Tuesday night where gallant Scotland still have a chance of qualifying from Group D.
TEAM: Marshall: O’Donnell, McTominay, Hanley, Tierney, Robertson; Gilmour (sub: Armstrong 77), McGinn, McGregor; Adams (sub: Nisbet 86) and Dykes.
