So there it is, Scotland have finally ended their 22-year drought as they defeated Serbia to reach next summer’s European Championships, and it all feels a little surreal!
It’s a historic night for the country, with a glamorous Euro 2020 group to await them in the summer. Indeed, the Scots will come up against England, Croatia, and the Czech Republic as a reward for finally reaching a major tournament. It’s exciting times for the Tartan Army.
From a Celtic perspective, it was all about Ryan Christie, Callum McGregor, and Leigh Griffiths. The former’s stunning second half effort (with an assist from the latter) was almost enough to KO Serbia and book our spot at the Euros. However, a late equaliser took the game to extra-time, with Christie hooked before the death. In the end, it didn’t matter as the Scots won on penalties.
Here, we give a mini player-ratings as we discuss how both Celts performed with a little more detail than we would normally provide. So let’s get started:
Callum McGregor – 8
I thought he was great tonight.
Managed to bag the key assist tonight as he made one of many interceptions high up the pitch before playing a short pass to Ryan Christie.
Played the box-to-box role superbly and managed to break up plenty of Serbia’s attacks. If McGregor wasn’t in there tonight, there would’ve been a lot more positive moments for the Serbians. In a sense, he was playing the Scott Brown role and buzzed around that midfield full of life.
McGregor’s game has developed so much from the young flair-player that came through under Ronny Deila. He does so much of the dirty work, and that was on full show in Belgrade.
If he wasn’t breaking up the play or making some important blocks, he was making sure his opponents didn’t have a moment to spare on the ball. He clearly knew the importance of tonight to the country, and it showed in how many yards he was covering for the cause.
It would’ve been great to see him get more involved in a forward role this evening. But the truth is Scotland didn’t need it, regardless of how much he has to offer in the final third.
His role was clear. Break up Serbia’s momentum, buzz around the midfield, ensure consistent ball-retention, and link the play forward when possible. Tonight he did all of those.
Continued to play well in extra-time, and took his penalty well.
Ryan Christie – 9
Should’ve been the match-winner. You could tell what it meant to Christie, and my goodness he put in one helluva shift tonight.
His standout moment was of course the goal. Taking a short McGregor pass into his control, he jinked past a couple of players before slotting a superb effort low in at the far post. A superb goal. An historic goal in fact.
All of our positive moments came through some good work from Ryan. He had one piece of control which was absolutely world-class too early on. He took a long diagonal and brought it down despite it dropping behind him. His layoff to Lyndon Dykes was also quick and classy.
Outside of that, he was the main man getting onto things in behind the big Aussie-born striker. Tidier for me than John McGinn too, who too often took to long on the ball and ended up losing possession.
Provided an outlet which was important, and also set up a big chance for McGinn in the first half too. Scarily could’ve had one or two more goals on another night also.
Taken off for some reason in the closing stages, and didn’t feature during extra-time.
Leigh Griffiths – 6
A ridiculous situation Steve Clarke put him into tonight, but Griffiths showed his character in the end.
Came on for the final four minutes of extra-time in order to take a penalty. He rattled it home, albeit it could’ve been saved after the goalkeeper got a hand to it.
Should’ve been given longer but was second-choice to Oli McBurnie when the manager needed to make a sub (god knows why).
Deserves all the credit in the world for his penalty, and he firmly set the tone in the shootout. Brilliant Griff – well done!!
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