Luka Modric is normally one of the coolest customers in football – but the Croatia legend let his emotions get the better of him after watching his team go down to 10 men in their defeat to Scotland.
With just minutes remaining in the first half of the Nations League clash at Hampden, the visitors lost Petar Sucic to a second bookable offence. The midfielder saw yellow after clattering into Billy Gilmour on the half hour mark and was then given his marching order by referee Orel Grinfeld after leaving one on John Souttar after the ball had been played.
Real Madrid magician Modric was left incensed with the decision, but his remonstrations with Israeli official Grinfield were futile. Sucic’s dismissal proved to be costly as Scotland finally made their numerical advantage pay when substitute John McGinn netted four minutes from time to keep their slim hopes of progression from League A alive going into Monday’s final fixture away to Poland.
Croatia sit three points above the Scots in second going into their home clash with Portugal but it would require a massive swing in goal difference for Modric and his team to concede the runner’s up spot. Pundit Michael Stewart was on co-commentary duty at Hampden and believes that the 39-year-old midfield maestro had no grounds to question the sending off. Speaking on the live Youtube feed of the game, he said: “I don’t think there is any doubt that it is a foul and a yellow card. There can’t be too many complaints as much as Luka Modric is adamant that it shouldn’t be (a sending off).”
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