Scotland had been left to rue missed alternatives as they suffered a heavy defeat to the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Steve Clarke’s aspect impressed for lengthy durations however had been wasteful in entrance of aim as they had been reminded of the problem they face at Euro 2024.
Ryan Christie hit the crossbar earlier than Tijani Reynders’ beautiful strike put the Dutch forward earlier than half-time.
Gini Wijnaldum scored the second aim with a header after Scottish striker Lawrence Shankland wasted an ideal alternative to equalize, whereas Fout Fegurst and Donyell Malen added to Scotland’s late woes.
Scotland have now conceded 18 targets in six matches, with simply three pleasant matches earlier than they face hosts Germany within the opening match of Euro 2024 on June 14.
Scotland have classes to be taught after late collapse
Lawrence Shankland after hitting the crossbar for 1-0
Many members of the Tartan Military have demanded that Shankland, the in-form Hearts striker, get a very good begin and can know he ought to have scored the targets to cap off a high quality efficiency.
Goalkeeper Angus Gunn returned after harm alongside a number of acquainted faces together with captain Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney, with the guests supported by round 2,400 touring followers.
Ronald Koeman’s aspect had a mixture of youth and expertise however included notable names equivalent to captain Virgil van Dijk and one other former Celtic defender, Jeremy Frimpong, with Memphis Depay main the road.
However the Scots began confidently, Shankland’s touches had been ensured, full-back Nathan Patterson stretched the Dutch down the appropriate flank whereas Robertson labored down the left flank.
Nevertheless, there was hazard when Cody Jacobo crossed the ball cleanly previous Scotland however failed to complete and was ultimately flagged for offside.
Ryan Christie has approached Scotland
After midfielder Scott McTominay was booked after simply 9 minutes for a foul on Xavi Simons, Shankland headed Patterson’s cross over the bar.
Then, within the 18th minute, midfielder Billy Gilmour raced down the appropriate and Christie’s header met a cross, however Dutch goalkeeper Leten cleared the ball onto the crossbar and it didn’t fall simply to Shankland.
Jacobo’s blatant drop into Scotland’s penalty space didn’t idiot Belgian referee Eric Lambrechts and moments later on the different finish McGinn headed Christie’s cross over the bar.
Nevertheless, the Scots had been dealt a blow simply earlier than half-time when the Milan Reinders midfielder obtained a move from Jacopo and, with little stress on him, measured his shot from 25 yards and curled it excessive previous the helpless aim.
Sing.
Tijani Reynders opened the lead for the Netherlands with a surprising aim
Reinders blocked a McTominay shot contained in the Netherlands penalty space at the beginning of the second half however Gunn needed to make an outstanding save from Depay’s shot on the flip.
Extra motion ensued at each ends as McGinn’s shot was blocked by Flecken earlier than Christie headed dwelling a Villa participant’s cross, then Gunn saved from 20 yards out from Jacobo.
When Shankland discovered himself up in opposition to Flecken for a aim, his shot hit the crossbar en route and he was rapidly changed by Che Adams, with John Souttar and Lewis Ferguson additionally approaching.
Wout Weghorst scored a aim to make it 3-0 for the Netherlands
Nevertheless, the Netherlands doubled their lead with a easy aim, Wijnaldum heading in Jacopo’s cross from eight yards out.
McTominay headed a cross from substitute Anthony Ralston over the bar to proceed the theme of missed possibilities earlier than Scotland collapsed when Weghorst headed in a nook and fellow substitute Malen ran in to attain the fourth – and the harm might have been larger.
Clarke: A painful defeat is prone to change Northern Eire’s plans on Tuesday
Scotland Coach Steve Clark: “It is unusual. Clearly shedding 4-0 you possibly can’t get well, it was painful. For 70 minutes it was actually good, then we conceded a nasty second aim. The most important distinction between the 2 groups was decisive.” We created loads in opposition to a very good staff.
“It is one thing I’ve received to stroll away and digest however not get too emotional. I’ve received to clear my thoughts. I had an thought of what I would do on Tuesday night time however tonight’s recreation in all probability simply modified that.”
“We’ve to be a bit of bit wiser in opposition to the massive groups and they’re a giant staff. I did not say a lot after that. When feelings are as excessive as they’re after a painful defeat it’s higher to get again on the sector.” the lodge.
“However there’s a lot to be optimistic about. Individuals can have a look at the end result and rating a unfavorable, that is as much as them.”
“For 70 minutes… an actual aggressive recreation in opposition to a high staff, we will profit loads from that. We’ve to research the final 20 minutes or so and look to do higher.”
“We won’t play like this”
Scotland captain Andrew Robertson needs a fast return to successful methods
Scotland Captain Andrew Robertson on Viaplay:
“You possibly can’t exit in opposition to these huge groups and play the best way we performed. We’ve to be inspired after the 60 or 70 minutes, however the final 20 minutes should not the best way we wish to play.”
“The truth that we got here away 4-0 is unbelievable. We won’t maintain doing that, going to our previous methods in opposition to the massive groups. There is no manner we will play like that as a result of individuals will have a look at that rating.” I feel it is very one-sided.
“While you go to the massive leagues, you must be loads higher than that.
“In the event you lose, you must maintain the aim distinction low. We do not wish to be the staff that solely qualifies for tournaments, we wish to compete.
“We’ve to get again to successful methods and we now have to begin rapidly.
He added: “As we speak we tried to deal with the match as if it had been a rehearsal for the European Nations Cup, and we did a very good job in giant components, however the match lasted greater than 90 minutes.
“We’ve power, it isn’t like we’re drained, we saved the ball nicely and stopped the play. In a recreation the place we performed nicely we might have come away with a rating of 6-0.”
“We’ve to be extra street-oriented.”
Scot John McGinn was embarrassed by their late collapse
Scotland midfielder John McGinn on Viaplay:
“There’s a lot to be discovered from the match however it’s clear that the end result was embarrassing for us.
“We had good possibilities and we needed to make certainly one of them.
“You possibly can say you could have good possibilities however we now have to be extra sensible and when the rating is 2-0 we’re a bit of extra silent.
“We’re going to a match the place aim distinction is essential.
“I feel we will take the optimistic within the sense that we did not really feel just like the Netherlands had been one million miles away from us, however these moments in the direction of the tip of the sport are undoubtedly not what we glance again on with many positives.
“We’re having unhealthy outcomes in the mean time, it is occurred to us too many instances and we will not let these unhealthy habits creep in once more.”
What’s subsequent for Scotland?
Scotland They’re again in motion once more on Tuesday once they face off northern Eire at Hampden Park in a world pleasant; Kick-off at 7.45pm.
Steve Clarke’s aspect will then play two extra worldwide friendlies in opposition to him Tarek mountain Away on June 3 and Finland At dwelling on June 7 earlier than beginning their Euro 2024 marketing campaign in opposition to the hosts Germany On June 14th.
