The Scotland job has finally driven Gordon Strachan mad.
Scotland has driven Gordon Strachan mad. That is the only explanation. The tall task of getting the Home Nations side into a major international tournaments has pushed the manager over the brink. That is the only possible explanation for his baffling comments explaining Scotland’s poor performance and failures to qualify away due to “genetics”
All Scotland had to do was claim a win in Slovenia (ranked 55th in the world-12 places behind Scotland) to secure a spot in the playoffs and a chance to make their first international finals since the 1998 World Cup in France.
Instead Scotland drew 2-2 despite going ahead in the first half. That draw, with a Slovakia win, meant that Scotland were eliminated from the possibility of making the finals. While the loss of this spot must have been hard enough, it surely must just be another nail in the coffin for Strachan, as Scotland had already been the only Home Nation to fail to qualify for last summer’s European Championships in France.
The most troubling aspect of the loss came in the manager’s insistence that Scotland is genetically behind the rest of the world and thus could not compete with the less technically proficient Slovenians. Strachan went on to claim that their opponents have the “height and strength” that Scotland cannot compete with
As the point has been made elsewhere, those tiny Spaniards of the past decade have really suffered when competing against the stronger and more physical sides during their run of 3 major tournament victories on the bounce. In fact, per the BBC Scotland were the 3rd shortest team during 2015. The 2 teams shorter than the Scots? World and Europeean champions Spain, and future Euro winner Portugal.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
Scotland should terminate Strachan’s contract as soon as possible. He’s had 2 international tournament campaigns to qualify Scotland for. Scotland has failed to qualify for either. In 40 matches the Scottish team have won just 19, and sadly this is one of the better records in Scotland history.
It’s embarrassing for Scotland to continue in such poor fashion, especially when you consider the work that Michael O’Neil has done with Northern Ireland and the reappearance of the Republic of Ireland at the last 2 European Championships.
In other Home Nations World Cup news: the Republic of Ireland secured a place in the World Cup playoff after knocking a Wales side missing Gareth Bale out of contention. Thanks to a 1-0 win at the Cardiff City Stadium, Ireland will have a chance to make their first World Cup since the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan.
Next: 5 reasons Manchester United will top Liverpool
Northern Ireland will also make an appearance in the playoffs, despite a 0-1 loss to Norway. The kicker for Scotland must be that their draw with Slovenia propelled Northern Ireland into the playoff. England have also qualified directly for the final to be held in Russia next summer.