Scotland's Nations League campaign suffered a major setback as they threw away a lead to lose 2-1 to Slovenia at Hampden. Ryan Christie had put the Scots ahead, but second-half goals from Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm turned the game on its head.
Group F standings
Sebastien Pocognoli's side are now seriously struggling to finish second in Group F. Slovenia sits three points ahead in second spot, with a superior goal difference and a better head-to-head record. Scotland now need two wins away to North Macedonia and away to group leaders Switzerland, while hoping Slovenia don't win either of their two games.
It hasn't been the start Pocognoli and his new-look squad had been hoping for. They got their first win against North Macedonia but failed to build on it. This was an evening where captain Robertson's 100th cap was celebrated at home, and Billy Gilmour also reached the 50 mark. It is a night where Pocognoli is still looking for a first Hampden point, never mind a win.
Jack Hendry returns
Jack Hendry had been sent off in Pocognoli's first Hampden game. The experienced defender served his suspension against North Macedonia and came right back into the team after Scott McKenna's own ordering off. Many people had tipped Luke Graham to make his first start, but Hendry got the nod. He had also done well in the goal-less opening day draw in Slovenia.
He faced early pressure when Zan Karnicnik appeared to push him in the back and Sturm cracked a shot off the post before the referee finally blew the whistle for the initial foul. The 31-year-old's big moment came in the 14th minute when he denied Slovenia with a block that looked like a certain goal. Mark Zabukovnik got too easily away from Billy Gilmour and threaded a great ball through to Sturm, who pulled it back for Adam Cerin, his shot was slotted past Angus Gunn but Hendry was behind him to boot clear. He produced another brilliant block to deny Zan Vipotnik at the start of the second half.
Christie's heroics
Christie has been a massive player for Scotland under Clarke. This was his first start under his successor. He started with John McGinn just behind Oli McBurnie, who was employed as the main striker for the first time. It was a game where Slovenia played like the home team and had a lot of the ball. Scotland had to dig in and offered very little in terms of an attacking threat until they netted on the half hour. A great ball from Lewis Ferguson sent Ben Gannon-Doak away up the right. He crossed for Hendry who headed off the back post. McBurnie tried to turn it goalwards, but it fortuitously hit Christie and he reacted to back-heel the ball into the net. It had been worth the wait for the patient Tartan Army in the stands, as he celebrated the Bournemouth star's 11th international goal.
Robertson's big moments
Skipper Andy Robertson had won his 100th cap away to North Macedonia at the weekend. He was presented with a Scotland jersey with 100 on the back by his Scotland bosses, Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish, Steve Clarke and Pocognoli, before kick-off. This was cap 101 and the Tottenham Hotspur star showed he was still going strong. He was more as a left-winger but he showed he was still a man for the big occasion in the 39th minute. Slovenia pushed to equalise and Zan Vipotnik looked like he would net but Robertson diving in from the left to make a goal-deny block. The crowd responded with the trademark chant: “Andy, Andy Robertson”.
Sloppy Scotland suckered
Scotland had looked to have got on top but then cheaply gave away a cheap equaliser. Scotland had possession from a Robertson's throw found Christie, but he lost it and the visitor's got the break of the ball as the skipper tried to win it back. It allowed Vipotnik and Zabikovnik who sent in Matko and he easily beat Angus Gunn in the 56th minute. Scotland were rocking at that point. Slovenia had exposed the Scots up their right, knowing Gannon-Doak is at his best going forward. The visitors got through again up that same channel but Sturm smashed it across the face.
Pocognoli opens up
The Scotland boss made changes and went to four at the back to try and stem the flow and to get the win. It didn't work as Slovenia ripped them open again. Matko was the chief tormentor as he raced up the right and crossed to give Sturm an easy tap-in the 71st minute. It was met with a chorus of boos. Pocognoli went to his bench and handed Hearts' Josh McPake his debut and sent on Findlay Curtis, who had been promoted from the under-21s. Both went down claiming penalties but Scotland got neither. McPake, who impressed, then found Kieron Bowie, but Jan Oblak got down to make a decent block. It just wasn't to be and the full time whistle brought a chorus of boos.
