The Tartan Army were bursting with pride as Steve Clarke’s men kept Cristiano Ronaldo and Co out at Hampden.
There were plenty of positives for Scotland as the superstar huffed at the full-time whistle and stormed down the tunnel. But, it doesn’t bring an end to the longest winless run in our nation’s history with Clarke’s men winning just one of their last 15 matches – a 2-0 friendly victory over Gibraltar in June – and have failed to win a competitive game for more than a year. But Eddie Easson, Fife was delighted with the result:”Well, Scotland it’s not quite got then monkey off their back but it was a backs to the wall Titanic struggle. Portugal eighth in the world against Scotland at 52nd – a draw is a fantastic result. Yet the usual clowns on here think we should be beating teams like Portugal all the time. That’s why there are rankings.”
Gaz Finnigan took aim at Steve Clarke’s critics – posing a question to Hotline sparring partner Alan Flett after his criticism of the bossafter the battling draw in the Nations League: “I’m all for people having an opinion that’s was football is all about however Alan, who is going to come in and do a better job than Steve Clarke has done, give me one name”
Jim McClean, Rothesay was far from impressed: “We are now hailing a 0-0 draw as a victory against a poor Portugal team. The bottom line – in case anybody has forgotten including Steve Clarke who doesn’t believe in statistics – one win in sixteen games is a c*** statistic. Time to go, Steve.”
And Joe Graham, Garrowhill also hasn’t been convinced by Clarke – and detected irony as John Souttar shone in the Hampden stalemate: “One win in sixteen games in domestic football would see the end of any first team coach. It’s ironic that a Rangers player may have saved Steve Clarke his job. John Souttar was man of the match in the Scotland vs Portugal game.”
Unimpressed John Bruce chimed in: “Steve Clarke celebrating a save by his goalkeeper and drawing the game – which meant no wins for him in 16. Says it all about Scotland’s manager.”
Domestically, Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach has a growing concern over Rangers‘ obligation to buy in Oscar Cortes contract after director of football recruitment Nils Koppen backed the injury-plagued winger to impress at Ibrox. He said: “Rangers should get out of this obligation to buy Cortes. He’s not that good, and also injury prone. He looks similar to (Jose) Cifuentes who couldn’t play the Scottish game and was just out of his depth. Cortes’ club want quite a few million for him money and the would be better spent on a decent centre forward like Lawrence Shankland in January.”
Koppen also detailed the collapse of the summer move for Jose Cordoba – with the defender opting to leave Levski Sofia for Norwich City instead. Baffled Kevin Wark quizzed: “Is the bold Nils saying that after ‘everything was agreed’ with Jose Cordoba that the Rangers didn’t sign him because they ‘didn’t feel the passion to come and play for Rangers’ from Jose? Or did Jose bail out after being at Ibrox? He’s a bit vague about that. I’m thinking the latter though.”
The appointment of Neil Crichtley as Hearts boss sparked a jab from the Hotline’s Hibs supporting regular Neil Renton – but Ian Cuthbertson, Edinburgh wasn’t having any of it: “So up pops Mr Renton to spout on about Hearts. This man’s obsession with Hearts is reaching dangerous levels.
“I honestly think he needs urgent medical attention. You would think he would be more concerned about what is happening at Easter Road. Any more clown shoes like that against Motherwell and I think Sir David will be out the door and the real manager, ie Malky (Mackay), will officially take over.”
It emerged on Tuesday that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had decided to part ways with Sir Alex Ferguson – who has served as the Manchester United’s global ambassador since he retired as manager in 2013. It has sparked a massive backlash from fans and pundits.
John Davidson, Kirkintilloch added: “What’s going on at Man Utd, the sacking of Alex Ferguson as club ambassador, is definitely the straw that broke the camels back. We’ll see the demonstration of demonstrations with that decision, he’s their greatest manager.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh took a different view: “Well done Jim Ratclife for stopping the £2m a year gravy train paid out to Sir Alex Ferguson for an “ambassadorial” role. This was grossly offensive to hard working fans, and frankly stank of jobs for the boys.”