From a flying Arsenal full-back to Motherwell’s towering skipper, plenty in navy blue impressed over the international break.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland, whilst suffering disappointment in the Nations League, have managed to create history by securing Euro 2020 qualification via a 5-4 penalty shootout win in Serbia. Almost every player in the squad featured at some stage over three matches, Arsenal star Tierney the only man to play every minute against Serbia, Israel and Slovakia.
The Arsenal man played every minute. (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
So with plenty of positives to look back on, we’ve picked out three of our best performers over the last week.
Kieran Tierney – Arsenal
The only player to feature in every minute of the international matches, Tierney was able to show his world-class ability. At centre-back he offers technical brilliance in Clarke’s 3-5-2 as well as defensive solidity.
Perhaps most interestingly, he replaced Premier League winner and Scots skipper Andy Robertson at left-wing-back in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Slovakia.
The Arsenal defender was by far the best player on the park, leading to people speculating over whether Tierney is actually a better fit on the left than Scotland’s skipper.
David Marshall – Derby County
It’s impossible not to include Marshall after his heroic display against Serbia. He obviously made the big save to send Scotland to Euro 2020, his hesitation to celebrate before almost bursting into tears now an iconic moment.
His international break was much more than that though, even if it will be defined by it.
The national hero. (Photo by Nikola Krstic/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Derby County’s number one made two or three big saves in Belgrade to ensure Scotland could flex their excellent penalty-taking muscles.
Declan Gallagher – Motherwell
What a find the Motherwell captain has been for Clarke. The back three’s only recognised centre-back when the manager’s preferred pairing of Scott McTominay, Gallagher and Tierney is picked, Well’s skipper has been immense.
Against Serbia he shackled Aleksandr Mitrovic like he wasn’t there before delivering a set-piece threat and no-nonsense approach in Israel.