Steve Clarke stressed that there is still work to do after Scotland boosted their hopes of remaining a top-flight Nations League side with a 1-0 play-off win against Greece in Athens.
Scott McTominay scored a penalty he had won in the 33rd minute of the first leg and the Scots could have been further ahead at the break.
The tide turned in the second half when 17-year-old Genk-born attacker Konstantinos Karetsas came on to make his debut for the home side, after making the switch from Belgium, for whom he had played at various youth levels.
FULL TIME: Greece 0-1 Scotland.
We’ll take a one-goal advantage back to Hampden Park 👏#GRESCO pic.twitter.com/0Buqo46SEU
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 20, 2025
The visitors withstood constant pressure from Greece but held out for the win and can be confident for the return leg at Hampden Park on Sunday.
Scotland are looking to remain in League A whereas the Greeks are looking to get out of League B after finishing second behind England and ahead of Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Clarke said: “Game on. It is still open. I don’t see the game as being closed at all.
“I thought the Greeks were good in the second half. Their away record is good in the group stages.
“They went to Ireland and won comfortably, they went to Finland and won comfortably and they went to Wembley and won, so the game is still wide open.
“I thought first half we were excellent, we played the ball around really well, created some good chances, could maybe have been further in front at half-time.
“To be fair to the Greeks they came out the second half and got about us and stopped us playing.
“We started to go too long and didn’t get hold of the ball as we did in the first half and then you are asked to defend and we defended quite well in the box.
“It felt like a lot of pressure because of the free-kicks into the box but (goalkeeper) Craig Gordon didn’t have too many saves to make in the second half, so credit to the team defensively.
“I love a good defensive display, it’s how you get results. But a lot to like in the first half.”
Clarke had special words of praise for defenders Anthony Ralston and Grant Hanley, who are not regulars with Celtic and Birmingham respectively.
He said: “You know what you are getting with Grant and you know what you’re getting with Tony, two honest players who always give everything for their country.
“When I select them it’s a risk because they don’t play every week for their clubs so they are maybe lacking minutes, but they are a credit to themselves, to last that long.
“Grant lasted the whole game, Tony almost gets the whole game, that tells you that they are still working hard at their clubs looking after themselves professionally, so really pleased for them.”
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...
Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Sam Barrott last night Kiwior VS Vinicius Jr. & Mbappe Fun Fact Once upon a time they all used to called as next Messi. VAR referee placing bets during a live game in the Bulgaria league. Only Didier Drogba can do this… Tottenham always make Chelsea feel better Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, ori...
Manchester United will beat Arsenal to the signing of fearsome Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer, according to a Liverpool legend.Gyokeres is one of the most in-demand centre-forwards in the world after registering an incredible 85 goals in 92 appearances for Sporting CP since joining the club in July 2023. The 26-year-old was prevented from leaving last summer by a massive €100mil...
The Canada international is poised to become a free agent this summer, leading to plenty of interest in him from top Premier League clubs.According to Empire of the Kop, it now looks like Liverpool are serious contenders to sign David ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham.It's not often quality players like David are available for free, so it ...
Ollie Watkins was a transfer target for Arsenal back in JanuaryArsenal are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window with a new striker at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist. But there are seemingly no plans to rekindle their interest in Ollie Watkins after their failed January swoop for the Aston Villa star.Watkins, 29, emerged as a surprise target for the Gunners in the winter transfer window...
Man Utd hand Amir Ibragimov his first professional contract🚨✍🏻 Official: Amir Ibragimov has signed his first professional contract for Manchester United.He’s highly rated internally among talents for the future. pic.twitter.com/YrkLvNUeRd— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 3, 2025Real Madrid sign highly-rated Diego Aguado🚨⚪️ 18 year old talent Diego Aguado has signed new deal at ...
David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...
Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...
David Moyes bemoaned an “offside” goal that gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton – but admitted James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid an early red card on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barr...
- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender