3 minute read
Steve Clarke paid tribute to a team effort after his Scotland side won a dramatic rain-delayed Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday night.
Scotland took a huge step towards the European Championship with a 2-0 win over Georgia at a rain-soaked Hampden Park.
A heavy rainstorm in the lead-up to the Group A fixture had rendered the match farcical early on, before midfielder Callum McGregor scored in the sixth minute with a shot through the puddles.
Hungarian referee Istvan Vad immediately halted the game, with an announcement confirming an initial 20-minute delay for the pitch to be cleared of water before an inspection.
Supporters kicked their heels in the stands until the pitch was declared playable, with the players warming up again before restarting at the 10th minute mark – over 90 minutes after it had been first stopped.
On resumption, the impressive Scott McTominay added a second goal two minutes after the restart before Georgia star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a VAR-awarded penalty in added time.
Clarke said: "Apart from the birth of my three children I think that's the longest day of my life!
"There were moments where it was quite surreal. The worst one was after the first stoppage and everyone was getting ready, warming up inside, you go out, you're going to start again in 15 minutes, and the two teams got in the tunnel and it was absolutely tipping it down again. T
"That was when you start thinking 'maybe we don't start again'. We dealt with it mentally I think. The players were great. In and out, in and out, in and out, warm up, wait, warm up, wait. I have to mention the fans.
"The fans were magnificent. It would be easy for them to be down and even be thinking about going home because the game could have been called off. They stayed.
"Every time we went to the pitch they got behind us and cheered and lifted the lads All the volunteers with the brushes and brooms and everything to get the water off the pitch, you've got to say thank you to them. Eventually we have come out with another massive three points. Twelve points to lead the group is a fantastic start. For me the best part is our players did their job."
