At Hampden Park, confusion lingered in the air after the final whistle. The crowd didn’t know whether to cheer, boo, or simply collapse from the tension. Scotland had won, but it felt hollow — one of the poorest displays of Steve Clarke’s tenure. The World Cup dream remains alive with two wins still needed, yet the performance left supporters uneasy.
Scotland staggered over the finish line like a marathon runner whose legs had given out. In the closing minutes, they clung on against a side that had shipped 17 goals in four games, six of them against Denmark. The three points mattered, but the way they came about was troubling. Another performance like this could sink Scotland’s chances, whether in Group C or the playoffs.
Scott McTominay later urged higher standards, and nobody disagreed. Captain Andy Robertson admitted it didn’t feel like a victory at all. Clarke, now Scotland’s longest-serving men’s coach, confessed he should have felt proud of the milestone but instead felt “really disappointed.”
Head-scratching, surreal and miserable
There was a surreal gloom about the night. Rarely has this team looked so dejected after winning. Every player wore the same mournful expression. Clarke called the display “a head-scratcher,” admitting he’s seldom disappointed by his team, but this time he was.
He said Scotland were poor in every department and allowed Belarus to dictate the night. The team looked disjointed, confused in possession, and shaky without the ball. The midfield pairing of Kenny McLean and Billy Gilmour never found rhythm.
Even after Che Adams’ early goal, Scotland couldn’t take control. When McTominay smashed in the second with six minutes left, his calm celebration suggested comfort that didn’t exist. It was his 13th goal for Scotland, but the serenity didn’t last — and nor did it deserve to.
Belarus created more chances than Scotland. When Hleb Kuchko slipped in front of Robertson to make it 2-1, the visitors earned it. A draw would have been fair; even a Belarus win wouldn’t have been a theft. Hampden again delivered palpitations, dizziness, and nausea — feelings that now seem part of the ticket price.
Humour turns to horror
Before the match, the Tartan Army joked in that familiar gallows humour about how Scotland might struggle against the weakest team in the group. After seven points from nine, including a miraculous escape against Greece, they feared the classic Scottish stumble.
Their fears came true. The unease from Thursday’s game returned, this time against a side far inferior to Greece. Belarus had no points and no goals before this match. Nobody expected such a dreadful night, yet deep down, many sensed the danger.
Stars out of sync and form
In the past two matches, several of Clarke’s key men have gone missing. Robertson looked slow, McGinn seemed lost, and even McTominay’s goal couldn’t hide his drop in form.
Che Adams worked tirelessly, and young Ben Gannon-Doak showed flashes of brilliance. His speed and dribbling come naturally, but he still needs to learn what to do next. Decision-making remains his biggest test. Gannon-Doak often gets into good positions but wastes them with rushed crosses. His talent, though, is undeniable, and time is on his side.
Clarke admitted he has a lot to think about. He insisted Scotland will be ready “when it comes to the crunch.” That crunch arrives next month with a trip to Greece and a home finale against Denmark. The team’s readiness is now under serious scrutiny.
A flattering position on paper
They say the table doesn’t lie, but this one might. Scotland’s strong position flatters them. They were lucky to beat Greece and just as fortunate against Belarus. Survival has been their only consistent trait.
If Clarke’s side don’t rediscover their best form soon, the campaign could end in disappointment. Clarke and his players know luck won’t carry them to the World Cup. They spoke with honesty after the match — something they didn’t show on the pitch. To qualify, they must rediscover who they are before the final push.
