San Marino 0-2 Scotland: Alex McLeish’s men labour to win against lowly Euro 2020 qualifying group opponents

San Marino 0-2 Scotland: Alex McLeish’s men labour to win against lowly Euro 2020 qualifying group opponents
Scotland responded to their dreadful Euro 2020 qualifying defeat at Kazakhstan with a 2-0 win at lowly San Marino.Alex McLeish’s men were dispatched 3-0 in Astana on Thursday, leading to Craig Burley telling talkSPORT that the manager should never have come back in the first place.3

The result will do little to ease the pressure on McLeish

And while the latest match will do little to ease the pressure McLeish, Scotland did get the all-important result thanks to goals from Kenny McLean and Johnny Russell.Many of the near 3,000 visiting fans therefore vented their disapproval towards the Scottish Football Association board, even after the second goal.Skipper Andy Robertson admitted on the eve of the match that Scotland could only make a small start to atoning for Thursday’s loss but they barely did that.3

Captain Robertson returned for the San Marino game

The opening defeat looked even worse when Group I rivals Russia won 4-0 in Kazakhstan before kick-off in San Marino and ending the first two games against the two lowest-ranked teams on minus goal difference is a major setback, especially given Cyprus put five past San Marino.The omens for a resounding win were not good. Scotland had only won 2-0 on each of their three visits to San Marino, twice on their way to reaching the European Championship finals in the 1990s.McLeish made six changes and a bold choice in his central striking role in Cardiff’s Callum Paterson – a midfielder for his club and a right-back for his country in the November wins over Albania and Israel.Paterson and Bournemouth wide player Ryan Fraser were back in after being allowed to miss the opening qualifier under an agreement with their clubs over concerns about the artificial surface, while Robertson returned after dental surgery.Right-back Stephen O’Donnell also came in along with Russell and McLean, with James Forrest among the players dropped.Scotland started with verve and McLean came close with a fierce 20-yard volley before glancing home Fraser’s cross and settling the nerves. But there was no lift-off as the tempo gradually tailed off. Russell was twice off target with half-chances before teeing up Stuart Armstrong in the 20th minute but Ella Benedettini produced an impressive double stop.Slackness remained evident in the visitors’ play and there was a scare on the half-hour mark when Jose Hirsch got in between Scotland’s centre-backs and went round Scott Bain, but he shot into the side netting from a difficult angle.Paterson went off injured after landing awkwardly as he had a header theatrically saved and Marc McNulty eventually took his place.There was a lack of quality about Scotland’s final ball, evidenced by Russell and Fraser wasting free-kicks and the latter crossing straight out of the park, before the half-time whistle was met by a few boos.There was another scare just after the restart when Filippo Berardi went down in the box under the close attention of Scott McKenna but the referee was unimpressed.McNulty had a shot deflected wide and McKenna glanced a header just past but Scotland were labouring and the introduction of Scott McTominay for Callum McGregor did little to change things.Forrest replaced Armstrong in the 71st minute and soon set up Russell on the break to net from close range, with McNulty assisting matters by setting the Celtic winger free and leaving his low cross.3

Russell’s 74th-minute strike sealed the win for Scotland

McNulty had good chances to add to the lead but headed Forrest’s cross wide from six yards and then saw his attempted lob diverted over.The final whistle was met with a few jeers but more applause from the travelling fans.

---

You can also listen through the talkSPORT App, on DAB Digital Radio or on MW 1053 or 1089. England vs Czech Republic: Team news Jadon Sancho has been handed his first competitive start for England
England vs Czech Republic LIVE: Teams confirmed, Euro 2020

---

Chelsea have condemned a video showing what is reported to be Blues fans in Chelsea condemn fans after video emerges of racist Salah chants UK anti-racism football charity Kick It Out said

---

Liverpool transfer news - LIVE! Jurgen Klopp is expected to be significantly backed in the summer transfer window following a stunning season at Liverpool. Only Man City's relentless 14-match
Transfer Rumours Latest Topics - talkfootball365.com

---

Dwight Gayle has been handed a two-match retrospective ban after accepting a charge for diving in West Brom's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, the Football Association has announced. The Baggies
West Brom's Dwight Gayle given retrospective two-match ban

---

Swedish Legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been hit with a 2-match ban for grabbing New York City FC's goalkeeper Sean Johnson by the neck during his side's (Los Angeles Galaxy) last week. According to a statement by the MLS Disciplinary Committee, the former Manchester United Star was sanctioned for violent conduct after losing his temper in […]
Ibrahimovic Banned For Grabbing Goalkeeper Sean Johnson's

---

Mauricio Pochettino says it will be difficult for Harry Kane to play again this season When asked if he believes Kane could return this season, Pochettino said: "We'll see, there is five weeks, it is going to be difficult. "Next week we are going to see with the specialist.
Mauricio Pochettino: My gut says Harry Kane could recover in

---

Amadou Diawara may be on his way to Premier League high-flyers Wolverhampton Wanderers from Serie A side Napoli. Agent suggests how much reported Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves target will cost
Tottenham willing to pay buyout clause of Napoli midfielder

---

Sir Alex Ferguson has raised an incredible £405,000 for the NHS as a thank you for the brain operation which saved his life. The former Manchester United boss, 77, threw a star-studded charity bash in Manchester last Friday. 1 Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has made a classy gesture to the NHS Hundreds of…
Sir Alex Ferguson raises over £400k for NHS as thank you for

---

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino to use a walkie talkie to

---

Jan 08, 2019 · BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Barcelona has reached a deal to sign young Toulouse defender Jean-Clair Todibo in July. Barcelona said Tuesday he will join on a free transfer after his contract with the
The top 6012 Liverpool FC images in 2019 - Pinterest

---

Matt Jarvis' ill-fated time at Norwich City is effectively over after the winger joined Walsall on loan. Jarvis signed on loan from West Ham United on the Canaries' Premier League return in
Saddlers sign Matt Jarvis! - News - Walsall FC

---

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba's negotiations over a summer switch to Real Madrid have hit a stumbling block due to the Frenchman's wage demands in the Spanish capital. Zinedine Zidane
Paul Pogba's wage demands 'could block' potential Real Madrid
newsleak24.com/paul-pogbas-wage-demands-could-block-potential-real-madrid-switch/
Brexit Party MEP Brian Monteith lives in south of France; Amber Rudd rules herself out of Tory leadership race and hints she could work with Boris Johnson
Manchester United transfer news: Paul Pogba's wage demands

---

Pep Guardiola claims Manchester City will not be banned from the Champions League despite Financial Fair Play allegations options in light of these fresh allegations, which City have
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola knocks back fears of

---

Manchester City target Juventus defender, Manchester United are out of Ajax defender race, PSG want Everton man, plus more. Football gossip: Cancelo, Neymar, Draxler, De Ligt, Tielemans, Gueye
NewsNow: Eden Hazard news | Breaking News & Search 24/7

---

Adam Johnson should not be allowed to return to football

---