Scotland boss Steve Clarke says his side need to be more clinical in the final third if they want to compete with Europe’s top teams on a consistent basis.
The Tartan Army beat Croatia 1-0 in the Nations League on Friday, thanks largely to Petar Sucic being sent off.
Until then, the visitors were in total control and looked more likely to score.
But substitute John McGinn came off the bench to net in the 86th minute, earning his country their first Nations League win and ending a horrendous winless run.
In the end, it was a positive night for the Scots, but Clarke could not hold back on his criticism, particularly before the red card.
Speaking to the press after the match, he said: “We could be more clinical when we get to the final third of the pitch. The sending off changed the game, but we were due a little break.
FULL TIME: Scotland 1-0 Croatia.
Super John McGinn wins it late on at Hampden Park 🦸♂️#SCOCRO pic.twitter.com/e5DOuwDi9i
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 15, 2024
“This is a group of players that want to be successful, want to do well for their country.
“That’s another clean sheet, two in a row. If you don’t concede goals you always have a chance to win the game.
“It was nice to get John on the pitch and I thought his finish was really good because it wasn’t easy.
“It was nice to be able to look at the bench behind and know we had people who could come on and affect the game. It’s nice when we get everybody fit and available.”
Scotland will have another chance to close the gap on Croatia in second of their League A group when they travel to Poland on Monday.
