International Break, players performances

[Burj_Alba]

Just a wee review of how I thought the players performed during the international break. Feel free to smash the ratings. Haven’t done this since after Georgia Hampden /  Paris 2007

Goalie

Marshall

Very commanding in the box but surprisingly had very little to do over the three matches, an accolade for the defence / midfield. When he was called upon did very well. 8 out of 10

Defence

O’Donnell

The much maligned right back is never going to be the next Cafu but his attitude and commitment is second to none. Think he might have nailed down his place for Serbia and had a hand in both goals in the matches. Needs to work on his technique, heading, positional sense etc, etc but great person to have a round the squad   7 out of 10

McTominey

Colossus last night and got better during the three matches. Still prone to getting caught under the ball but can play some excellent balls out of defence. This is definitely going to be his position for Scotland and who knows maybe for Man U if bombscare McGuire keeps up his current form.  9 out of 10

Gallagher

Where has this player been until now? Ok I know the situation but pity he was not five years younger and could take this on to another level. Brilliant in all three matches. Would be a real shame if he lost his place if McKenna, Cooper and Tierney are all available for Serbia.  9 out of 10

Cooper

Only played one match but did really well in back three. Good problem for Clarke to have if all defenders are fit for next international break.  5 out of 10

Considine

Never really looked out of place and like O’Donnell so proud to wear the jersey. Will probably be sacrificed next time around but he will have these matches to tell his grandkids. Would struggle against stronger opposition. 8 out of 10.

Robertson

Finally brought his A game in a Scotland jersey and looked like a captain. Excellent attacking play in both matches and that partnership with Fraser could be promising. Also linked well with McGregor and McBurnie.    (8 out if 10)  

Taylor

Was always going to be a stop gap and unless he can discover a right foot will only be used sparingly. Lost possession a few times last night (not alone in that )  but generally coped well. 6 out of 10

 

Hanlon

Got his appearance but unlikely to add any more to it. 4 out of 10

Midfield

Jack

I though he was MOM last night. Brilliant blocking and tracking back with the Czech runners. Other matches less impressive but in a match against the calibre of Czech I would start him every time. 7 out of 10

McGregor

Ironically best performance was as a sub in the Slovakia match. Always neat and tidy but not sure if him and Jack are too similar when playing for Scotland. A bit missing last night.   6 out of 10

McGinn

SJM was brilliant in all matches and getting his form back after his injury. Great driving forward runs and fantastic energy levels, even last night in the third game in 6 days never stopped running. First name on team sheet with Robertson and Marshall.  9.5 out of 10.

Fleck

A mere shadow of the player he was with Sheffield last season but looked lethargic in the one match he played. No idea if he was carrying an injury or there is something else going on at his club.  4 out of 10.

McLean

I thought did really well in the Slovakia match and would have him ahead of McGregor in the pecking order (but probably not ahead of Armstrong or Christie) . Fantastically cool penalty under pressure against Israel.  7 out of 10

Fraser

Like a new signing. Played off Dykes so well and buzzed around in both matches before getting knackered. Linked well with the full backs to great effect. Could have had a hat trick last night all from winning space between the midfield and defence.

Got to be given a free role next time to utilise him perfectly.  9 out of 10.

Forwards

Dykes

What more can you ask of him? Great finish and assist over the three matches but really put himself about to great effect. Silly booking last night and think he does have that side to him.

Will probably start in Serbia and hopefully gets a few goals for QPR in between.  8 out of 10.

McBurnie

So unlucky not to score in either match (not Israel when he wasn’t really close) . Against Slovakia had to score so bad miss but what a strike against the Czechs. Loved the little triangles between him, Robertson and McGregor when running down time against Slovakia. Would love him to get a goal soon.  7 out of 10

Patterson

Will probably drop out if everyone is fit. Doesn’t seem to offer much when he comes on apart from sweat and tears. 4 out of 10.

Shankland

Apart from Israel match did not appear. Nice confident penalty in the Israel match but not much else to write about.  4 out of 10

Manager

 

Clarke

Tactically brilliant in all games and got the players believing in the system. This is what we wanted when he got the job and bringing the Kilmarnock mentality with him.

Thought of as a defensive minded coach but remember an interview with Lukaku when Lukaku said that Clarke was one of the coaches that helped him most when younger. Hopefully same with Dykes and McBurnie.  9 out of 10

 

Don’t think I  have missed anybody out

[ceudmilefailte]

ayer		CM	KG	Apps	Mins	Goals	Assists	Yel	Red	SpG	PS%	AerialsWon	MotM	Rating
1 Declan Gallagher29, D(C)		196	93	2	180	-	-	-	-	0.5	75.9	6	1	7.62
2 Lyndon Dykes25, FW		188	0	4	278	2	1	2	-	1	60.5	7.5	2	7.36
3 Andrew Considine33, D(C)		183	75	2	180	-	-	-	-	-	73.7	3	-	7.28
4 Stephen O'Donnell28, M(R)		183	74	2	180	-	1	-	-	1	54.1	1.5	-	7.19
5 Liam Palmer29, D(CLR),DMC,M(R)		188	81	1	90	-	1	1	-	-	66.7	1	-	7.15
6 Ryan Christie25, AM(C)		178	79	2	180	2	-	-	-	3	77.3	1	-	7.12
7 John McGinn25, DMC		178	68	3(1)	266	-	-	-	-	0.5	77.8	0.8	-	7.03
8 Scott McTominay23, D(C),DMC		193	88	4	360	-	-	-	-	0.3	80.7	3.3	-	6.94
9 Liam Cooper29, D(C)		180	73	1	90	-	-	-	-	-	86.4	1	-	6.94
10 David Marshall35, GK		190	83	4	360	-	-	1	-	-	62.9	0.3	-	6.91
11 Ryan Fraser26, M(CLR)		163	70	2	155	1	-	-	-	2	79.5	-	-	6.90
12 Greg Taylor22, D(L)		175	62	1	79	-	-	-	-	-	66.7	1	-	6.89
13 Andrew Robertson26, D(L),M(L)		178	64	3	270	-	-	2	-	-	83.2	1	-	6.86
14 Kenny McLean28, M(C)		183	70	2(1)	200	-	-	-	-	0.7	87.6	1.7	-	6.79
15 Ryan Jack28, DMC		182	72	2(1)	181	-	-	-	-	0.3	82.2	0.7	-	6.78
16 John Fleck29, M(C)		170	72	2	143	-	-	1	-	-	78	0.5	-	6.70
17 Kieran Tierney23, D(CL),M(L)		178	70	1	90	-	-	-	-	1	83.9	-	-	6.69
18 Oliver McBurnie24, AM(CL),FW		188	79	0(2)	43	-	-	1	-	1.5	60.9	2.5	-	6.56
19 Paul Hanlon30, D(C)		180	78	0(1)	11	-	-	-	-	-	33.3	1	-	6.44
20 Scott McKenna23, D(C)		189	74	2	180	-	-	1	-	-	90.6	3.5	-	6.41
21 Callum McGregor27, M(CR)		178	67	2(2)	208	-	-	-	-	0.5	87.9	-	-	6.34
22 James Forrest29, M(LR)		170	67	1	90	-	-	1	-	1	70.4	2	-	6.30
23 Stuart Armstrong28, AM(CLR)		183	75	1(1)	91	-	-	1	-	0.5	75	-	-	6.24
24 Callum Paterson26, D(R),M(CR),FW		183	76	0(3)	39	-	-	-	-	0.3	50	1	-	6.14
25 Oliver Burke23, AM(LR),FW		188	74	0(1)	16	-

 

Who scored ratings for our four group games in Nations League.

Good to know Right Wing Back is our strongest position.