The Hammer of Hampden knows Poland could have smashed a major hole in Scotland’s Nations League hopes.
Polish captain Robert Lewandowski made it three appearances in Scotland’s national stadium and has never been on the losing side. The previous two games ended in draws but Poland left Steve Clarke’s side floored with their last-gasp penalty winner. Scotland know they’re up against it after winning promotion to Group A and now have it all to do after losing their opening home fixture. Lewandowski said: “You have to always be ready. We still have so many games. Of course, we won and Scotland lost. At home, especially the first game, can be a little bit more tough than other games.
“But you know, for us it’s more important what we’re going to do, how we’re going to prepare for the next game. We now have the next difficult game against Croatia away.
“Of course, we have to try because we also have very young, talented players. So we have to try to keep taking the next step forward with our performances. Because, even though we scored two goals, we put Scotland back in the game. So it’s like something we can do better. But in the end we won.
“To give us self-confidence for the future, the next game, it can be very important.”
Poland had stormed into a two-goal lead before Scotland pegged them back but the visitors got the Nations League win through Nicola Zalewski’s late spot-kick. Lewandowski said: “From the beginning, we had this game under control. We scored two goals in the first half.
“But at the beginning of the second half, I can say after our mistakes Scotland came back to the game and felt they could do more and more. But, you know, even then we tried to keep going and to keep playing our game.
“In the end we scored the third goal and that for us is a very important victory, especially in this stadium against Scotland. I don’t know when was the last time we won against Scotland. It doesn’t matter that we were playing in Poland or here. But in the end, we have three points, so we are very happy.”
Lewandowski scored their second goal from the spot just before half-time. He previously scored a double in a 2-2 draw against Gordon Strachan’s side in 2015. And he said: “I feel really good here in this stadium because the atmosphere is really amazing.
“Even before the game, you feel the stadium is full and that the fans support us, the pitch was great. I really love to play here because I feel very strong on the pitch. It’s always nice to score one goal and to win the game. To do that here is something special.”
Scotland have been left licking their wounds but Lewandowski does think Clarke and his squad have something to build from. The former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund forward said: “I saw some players from Scotland that know how to play football.
“We knew it would not be an easy game. That’s why we appreciate these three points. We always try to do our best and if you are talking about the players from Scotland, you have also experienced players on the pitch. And also some young players that want to show they want to be in the team.”
Lewandowski is 36 but continues to be a leader for Barcelona and Poland. He added: “I still have this fire inside me. I feel this happiness when I’m on the pitch, especially if I score the goal.
“It’s like a new role for me, sometimes like being a father for the young players. But I enjoy it a lot and I’m happy in this place where I am.”