Ally McCoist predicts ’punishing’ moment which could cost Steve Clarke Scotland job

Ally McCoist predicts ’punishing’ moment which could cost Steve Clarke Scotland job

Few players have experienced what it’s like to play and win for Scotland at a European Championship, including Rangers legend Ally McCoist. Thirty years ago, the former Ibrox striker was scoring goals for his country at Euro 1996. These days, he is establishing himself as a broadcaster.

Coincidentally, Scotland’s last big tournament victory came from a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in England. Ally McCoist was assigned to provide commentary for Scotland during the 2024 European Cup as Steve Clarke’s faltering team attempted to rescue their season in Germany. And in a display of both football acumen and tragic insight, McCoist accurately foresaw the event that would have lost the Scotland manager his job.

Rangers legend predicts Scotland flop

Heading into the final Group A clash with Hungary, Scotland knew they needed a victory to guarantee progression to the knockouts.

Having been humbled 5-1 by hosts Germany in the opener and held 1-1 by Switzerland on match day two, it all came down to this.

Scotland appeared more likely to win the match in the closing moments as they pressed Hungary in an attempt to score a late goal in a tense match that lacked true quality. Scotland took advantage of a late corner to tie the game at zero goals, then went man-for-man at the back to attack. Ally McCoist was taken aback by the scene as he was commentating, and in the hundredth minute, Hungary surged up the field and scored the eventual winning goal.

McCoist told ITV viewers before the corner: “I’m not sure I’d be leaving it one-for-one at the back to be quite honest with you.”

After Hungary broke forward and Kevin Csoboth swept home the winner McCoist was in no mood to revel in predicting the cock-up.

“Look at this!” McCoist exclaimed with Hungary on the break. “I’ve never wanted less in my life to say ‘I told you so’.

“But I cannot believe Scotland left it one-v-one at the back. Honestly, I cannot believe they’ve got a corner and they go one-for-one at the back.

“And they got punished, simple as.”

Clarke fumbles at Euro 2024
At 0-0 Scotland’s Euro 2024 hopes were on the precipice, but at 1-0 they were dead and buried.

With four third place teams also qualifying for the knockout round Scotland might’ve been in with a slim chance and chose to go for the win at the wrong moment.

The calamity of the entire thing sums up a Scotland campaign fraught with nerves, errors and a lack of cohesion which was not evident in Steve Clarke’s earlier years.

The Scotland manager is now at the centre of substantial criticism as supporters who’ve spent hard-earned cash to follow the nation to Germany are left bitterly disappointed.

Some may claim that the former Killie manager, who is contracted to the national team until after the 2026 World Cup, has earned his opportunity to go to the competition in Mexico, USA, and Canada after winning back-to-back European Championships. However, with Scotland having only one win (against Gibraltar) in their previous 12 games, Ally McCoist’s criticism of basic mistakes made by commentators suggests that the writing may be on the wall. The entire Euro 2024 campaign has also been clouded by doubts about Clarke’s strategy and squad selection, as Scotland supporters struggle to return home after their kilts are soaked in German beer, rain, tears, and sweat.

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