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00:00thank you good evening as attributed to the ancient greek philosopher aristotle you will
00:08never do anything in this world without courage and courage is a quality that the scotland side
00:13has had to demonstrate in this edition of the nation's league and something that's seen them
00:18scramble a playoff and a chance to continue to dine at the top table of the competition and it's a
00:25competition that's been pretty kind to scotland since its inception with co-hosting duties at the
00:31next european championship there is a determination to be part of league a it could be of paramount
00:38importance when it comes to securing a playoff for that tournament not that they needed a playoff
00:44last time around however that's a long way down the road the build-up really beginning towards
00:51that world cup qualifying campaign it starts here tonight in the athens port city of piraeus
00:58and the home of olympiakos against a greece side that's had an excellent campaign in league b
01:05which included that famous win at wembley the euro 2004 champions have been up and down since
01:13their zenith in lisbon this is a big challenge for scotland over the course of the next few days
01:20across the two legs
01:26little chill in the air here in greece it is colder here than it is back home as flower of scotland takes
01:33center stage
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05:04Zolakis who plays his club football in this stadium
05:08and faced Rangers when they visited here in the Europa League a few months ago.
05:14They appear to be on the rise, the Greeks.
05:20Officials tonight are German with the experienced but card-happy Tobias Steiler in the middle.
05:27He last saw Scotland when they faced France in a Lille friendly a year past October.
05:32The day after they qualified for Euro 2024.
05:37And no Kieran Tierney, despite the deliberation from the manager
05:41and despite the speculation from the media.
05:45Christie suspended, Doak is injured so there's a first cap in a year for Lewis Ferguson
05:49who of course missed out on Jeremy Innie in the summer due to injury.
05:55He put in another very impressive shift in Bologna's 5-0 route of Lazio at the weekend.
06:00Hanley's preferred to McKenna at the back.
06:02Captain Robertson moves third in the all-time cap list with his 81st.
06:07Craig Gordon's just one behind him.
06:10And he becomes just the fifth to achieve that feat tonight
06:13as he goes level with Darren Fletcher, his old team-mate.
06:17It was Robertson's goal in Warsaw that sealed this play-off tie.
06:21Seven of that Scotland starting 11 incidentally are booking away
06:25from missing the second leg in Glasgow on Sunday.
06:32It's about ready to go, Imperius.
06:36Scotland live on the BBC.
06:40World Cup qualifiers don't begin till September for Steve Clarke
06:43but these games give him a chance to hit the reset button ahead of the tilt
06:48to reach the finals for the first time since 1998.
06:51Will 2025 be the year that World Cup failure is vanquished?
06:58It really begins tonight, I suppose, James McFadden.
07:01The preparation for the big qualifiers getting underway in the autumn.
07:05Absolutely.
07:06This is a tough Greece side and the games will be tough
07:08but as you say, it starts tonight.
07:12A good end to the Nations League campaign
07:13and getting into this position
07:16which when it looked unlikely, you have to say it,
07:19but now it's about getting beyond Greece
07:20and looking forward to the World Cup qualification
07:22and hopefully no end in a long wait
07:24for an appearance at the World Cup finals.
07:29Home win over Croatia
07:30and did a run of ten competitive matches without victory.
07:34And they went to Poland and did the rest.
07:36Here is Scott McTominay.
07:39He's got the free kick as well.
07:43And he has been, along with John McGinn under Clarke,
07:46the real talisman, those two in particular.
07:51Yeah, they've stepped up when needed.
07:53McTominay and McGinn.
07:54Lewis Ferguson in there, another midfielder that likes to score goals.
07:59Hopefully he can join in, pitch in with some goals as well
08:02but the two of them have been absolutely outstanding
08:04under Steve Clarke and McTominay and McGinn.
08:05Cool, Arrakis there, felt hard done by.
08:09And that was deemed as a foul by the German ref.
08:13First chance of swinging into the mixer, it is Ferguson.
08:17Back to McGinn, but the whistle goes.
08:20And they'll look to make a good start here.
08:23Scott McTominay's limping, he was a slight doubt, I think,
08:27coming into this camp.
08:28He's such an important player.
08:32Those Scots on bookings already,
08:36because Ryan Christie missed this one
08:38because he picked up two in the group stage,
08:41are Ralston, Robertson, McTominay,
08:43Hanley, McGinn, Gilmore and McLean.
08:47If they are yellow carded tonight,
08:50they would miss out on the second leg in Glasgow on Sunday.
08:52It's a nonsense for me, Liam,
08:58that even in this situation,
09:00you know, after the campaign,
09:01I know this is technically part of it
09:03because it's a play-off,
09:04but you play your games in the group stages,
09:06the booking should be wiped,
09:07you should be able to come into these games
09:09with full squads available.
09:13Seopsis with the ball down the right here for Masuras.
09:17Covering across is Grant Hanley,
09:19who's been struggling for game time at his club.
09:23He's on loan at Birmingham from Norwich.
09:29He started just a couple of matches
09:34at the European Championship last summer,
09:36but he doesn't get a look in, really,
09:38at club level.
09:40He was on early against the Germans
09:42in the opening night in Munich.
09:44In the wake of the Ryan Porteous red card,
09:51here's Gilmore,
09:52who's just managed to force his way
09:54into Antonio Conte's starting 11 in Naples.
10:00Alongside his club mate McTominay.
10:08He's only scored two goals in his senior career,
10:11Billy Gilmore,
10:12and they both come in the dark blue
10:14of his country.
10:17He was very unlucky not to score in Warsaw,
10:20just hit from 25, 30 yards
10:22that rocked the crossfire.
10:36Towering leap there by Mavro Panos.
10:39McLean,
10:50McLean,
10:50he loses out,
10:52but now,
10:54you see that he's on it.
10:56He's a clear and present danger
10:58down the right flank
10:59for the Greeks.
11:00It's Rota.
11:02And running into trouble
11:04was Constantelias.
11:05Scotland have settled pretty well in the game.
11:15Greece will have their moments.
11:17Yeah,
11:17they have.
11:18Scotland have looked comfortable in possession.
11:20Greece,
11:21although they're set up to go and press,
11:23it's not a full press.
11:25And allowing Scotland at times
11:26to have the ball across the back,
11:27you know,
11:28Greece at a side
11:29that want to try and attack
11:30with numbers at pace.
11:34You'll have to see us there,
11:35the number seven,
11:36he's the top scorer
11:38in the current Greek squad.
11:44And that
11:44might make its way through
11:45to Constantelias.
11:47Robertson does well.
11:48A disappointing week
11:49for Andrew Robertson,
11:50losing the
11:51English League Cup final
11:53to Newcastle
11:53at the weekend.
11:59Flags up on this near side.
12:06Constantelias there
12:07of
12:07Pauk
12:09played against
12:09Hearts
12:10and Aberdeen
12:10last season
12:11in Europe.
12:12Brilliant from Adams.
12:30He's also
12:30having a good time
12:31in Italy
12:32with Torino.
12:35McTominay
12:35and again
12:37Gilmore
12:39breaks down
12:42but
12:42a promising attack.
12:47That was great skill
12:47from Shea Adams.
12:49Looked like he was going to play
12:50that risky pass inside.
12:51Almost blind
12:52to Lewis Ferguson.
12:53Little Cruyff
12:54turning up the line
12:55and
12:55Billy Gilmore
12:56gets in a position
12:57you want him in.
12:58In around that box
12:59to try and find Shea Adams.
13:00He overhits it.
13:01Shea Adams, I think.
13:03Must we think
13:03that that's
13:04for someone behind him.
13:05The nature of the pass
13:06certainly from someone
13:07like Billy Gilmore.
13:09His form in Italy
13:12has actually gone
13:13under the radar
13:13a little bit
13:14because of the exploits
13:15of Ferguson,
13:16McTominay
13:17and Gilmore.
13:19He's scored
13:19nine goals
13:20four assists as well
13:21for Torino.
13:23Yeah,
13:23as you say
13:24under the radar
13:25you look at
13:26Gilmore and McTominay
13:28in particular
13:28being at a club
13:29like Napoli
13:29such a famous club
13:31in Italy.
13:34And obviously
13:34Lewis Ferguson
13:34winning midfielder
13:36best midfielder
13:36in Serie A
13:37last season
13:37it's understandable
13:38why Shea Adams
13:40has been allowed
13:40to get on
13:41with his walk
13:42if you like.
13:44Fouled by
13:45Hanley
13:45on Ioannidis
13:48Panath and Icos
13:51player
13:51they're not
13:51well liked
13:52around these
13:53parts
13:53generally speaking.
14:00Mantalos
14:01the skipper
14:01to Rota
14:02to Rota
14:02the
14:11Arrakis
14:12well the
14:24defeat
14:24to England
14:26and Athens
14:27for Greece
14:28was their only
14:28one in their
14:29Nations League
14:29group
14:30they won
14:30all
14:30in their
14:31other five
14:31matches
14:32including
14:32that
14:32superb
14:34victory
14:34in London
14:35Constantelias
14:45Constantelias
14:45some delicate
14:58chip ball
14:58through for
14:59Ioannidis
14:59and John
15:05Suter
15:05was strong
15:06there
15:06he's
15:07back to
15:08full fitness
15:09of course
15:09and played
15:10a huge part
15:10in Rangers
15:12success in the
15:13Europa League
15:13against
15:14Fenerbahce a
15:14week ago
15:15tonight
15:15yeah
15:17his recovery
15:18is good
15:19I think
15:19initially
15:19his position
15:21isn't great
15:21but he manages
15:22to get back
15:23and snuff
15:24out the danger
15:25but you look
15:26at Greece
15:26and they're
15:26comfortable
15:27on the ball
15:27they're knocking
15:27the ball
15:28across the
15:28backline
15:29they're looking
15:29for a little
15:29probe
15:30into midfield
15:30but they
15:31look like
15:32they're looking
15:33for that
15:33killer ball
15:34either in
15:34between the
15:35lines
15:35of the
15:35fullback
15:35and the
15:36centre
15:36back
15:36or over
15:36the
15:37top
15:37and trying
15:38as I
15:38said
15:38stretch
15:38the game
15:39use their
15:39pace
15:40they do
15:40look like
15:41a dangerous
15:41side
15:41Steve Clark
15:51is not
15:51too far
15:52off
15:52being the
15:53longest serving
15:54Scotland
15:55manager
15:55by games
15:56played
15:56he will
15:58surpass
15:59Craig Brown
16:00during the
16:02World Cup
16:02qualifying
16:03campaign
16:03Anthony
16:19Rolston
16:19over there
16:19is
16:20by virtue
16:22of playing
16:23tonight
16:23he's played
16:24more for
16:24Scotland
16:25this season
16:25than he
16:26has Celtic
16:26but in a
16:28very good
16:28group campaign
16:29didn't he
16:30really saw
16:31that after
16:31a difficult
16:32European
16:32Championship
16:32yeah
16:33absolutely
16:33obviously
16:35injuries in
16:37that position
16:37has given
16:37Anthony
16:38Rolston
16:38an opportunity
16:39but as you
16:39say I
16:40thought he
16:40played really
16:40well in
16:40the Nations
16:41League
16:41campaign
16:42and deserved
16:43to keep
16:44his spot
16:44I know
16:45he doesn't
16:45play much
16:46at Celtic
16:47but Steve
16:48Clark
16:48as we've
16:48seen
16:49he's
16:49swapped
16:49at
16:49Grant
16:49Hanley
16:50will pick
16:51players that
16:51have done
16:51well for
16:52him
16:52previously
16:53Lewis
16:54Ferguson
16:54simply
16:54wasn't giving
16:55that up
16:55it's
16:56outstanding
16:56play
16:57here's
16:57McTominay
16:58the Greek
17:00fans unhappy
17:01because
17:01they're a man
17:02down
17:02it's a
17:04little bit
17:04too much
17:04on it
17:05for
17:05Shea
17:05Adams
17:05but
17:08we'll see
17:09here
17:09Constantelias
17:10is the
17:11player who
17:12is down
17:12this is why
17:14Ferguson's so
17:16tenacious
17:17he's always had that
17:17of course
17:18yeah I mean
17:19can't be saying
17:21why the referee
17:22allows
17:22but it's a great
17:22challenge
17:23for Lewis
17:24Ferguson
17:24and as you
17:25say
17:25that tenacity
17:26really good
17:27player
17:28technically
17:28very good
17:29but he does
17:29the ugly side
17:30of the game
17:30really well
17:31to Lewis
17:32Ferguson
17:32to Rota
17:41you can feel
17:48from
17:49you see
17:49this
17:50Dominic
17:52trying to get
17:52back
17:53and
17:53done
17:54enough
17:54well
18:00classic
18:01John
18:02McGinn
18:02that
18:02isn't it
18:03yeah
18:07Scotland have
18:08bedded in
18:08nicely here
18:09yeah
18:09semi-caste there
18:10who's of course
18:10a club mate
18:11of Andrew
18:12Robertson
18:12doesn't get in
18:13the team
18:13at Liverpool
18:14because of
18:15Andrew Robertson
18:15but he's a
18:16regular starter
18:16for his country
18:17yeah I mean
18:18Scotland have
18:20started well
18:20as you said
18:21they look
18:21confident
18:22not to ball
18:23about
18:23they're waiting
18:24for that
18:24opening
18:24and you look
18:26at you know
18:26we speak
18:27about you know
18:27John McGinn
18:28going forward
18:29Scott McTominay
18:29going forward
18:30Lewis Ferguson
18:31and the threat
18:31that they have
18:32going forward
18:32but they're also
18:33working back
18:34and you know
18:34doing the hard
18:35shift for the
18:36team as well
18:36there's a fabulous
18:39switch there by
18:40McGinn
18:40here's Robertson
18:41to McLean
18:45Robertson
18:48find a little
18:48pocket there
18:49and it's
18:50useful ball in
18:51as well
18:52Barbara Panas
18:54had to be
18:54really careful
18:55at his near
18:55post
18:56yeah he did
18:59but as the ball
18:59gets played
18:59into the path
19:01of Andy Robertson
19:02looking at
19:02Shea Adams
19:03or Scott McTominay
19:04one of them
19:05has to go and
19:05gamble at that
19:06near post area
19:07McTominay is
19:07trying to get
19:08across
19:08but you know
19:09that's where
19:10the space is
19:10I feel that
19:11one of them
19:11has to go
19:12maybe you know
19:13the cross is
19:13a bit close
19:14to the goalkeeper
19:14I still think
19:15that one of them
19:16has to go
19:16and put the
19:17goalkeeper off
19:18or get themselves
19:19there before him
19:19so the Greek
19:36coach there
19:36is a Serbian
19:37Ivan Ivanovic
19:38to charge last year
19:41he was also in
19:42charge of Panathinaikos
19:43where he lifted
19:45the Greek cup
19:46it's the man
19:48tasked with
19:50getting the Greeks
19:51to the World Cup
19:52finals
19:53of course Scotland
19:54in amongst
19:55that group as well
19:57and Hanley
20:00he misjudged
20:01that slightly
20:02nothing comes
20:05of it
20:05he looked like
20:09he was in control
20:10of the situation
20:10Hanley then
20:11almost like
20:12he runs away
20:13from it
20:13don't know
20:14if he lost
20:15sight of the ball
20:15he got too
20:16distracted by the man
20:17but he nearly
20:19made a mess
20:19of that there
20:20as we go along
20:42tonight I will
20:42keep you up to date
20:43with what's happening
20:44in Copenhagen
20:44and that is because
20:46Denmark are playing
20:47Portugal
20:47the loser of that
20:49will be the top
20:50seeds in Scotland's
20:51qualifying group
20:52indeed
20:54the Scots will
20:56start away from
20:58home
20:58against whoever
21:00loses
21:01that tie
21:02as goalless
21:03as it is here
21:05in the early
21:06exchanges
21:06the parking
21:07you just
21:20seem to stop
21:21yeah
21:22it was strange
21:24seeing it back
21:25it looks
21:25stranger
21:26it just looked
21:28like it was in
21:28control
21:28Robertson's lost
21:30out here
21:30Masuras
21:31it's it back
21:32from Ionidas
21:33bending ball
21:35to the back
21:36post
21:36and then
21:38McGinn
21:38slides into
21:40the challenge
21:40the Greek
21:41players want
21:41a penalty
21:42they're not
21:43getting one
21:43not yet
21:44anyway
21:45it's great
21:47defending from
21:47Ralson at the
21:48back post
21:48good break
21:49from Grace
21:50down the right
21:50hand side
21:51in the cross
21:52of the far
21:53post
21:53Ralson does
21:54really well
21:55switched on
21:56John McGinn
21:58getting back in
21:59there on
21:59Simakas
22:00no complaint
22:00from Simakas
22:01there was
22:10a check
22:11for a penalty
22:12there
22:12VAR
22:14Soren Storks
22:16agrees with
22:18the on-field
22:18decision
22:19the on-field
22:21oh
22:21oh
22:22oh
22:22oh
22:23oh
22:23oh
22:24oh
22:24oh
22:25oh
22:25oh
22:26oh
22:26oh
22:27oh
22:28oh
22:29oh
22:30oh
22:31oh
22:32oh
22:33oh
22:34oh
22:35oh
22:36oh
22:37oh
22:38oh
22:39oh
22:41oh
22:42oh
22:43oh
22:44oh
22:45oh
22:46oh
22:47oh
22:48oh
22:49It's the first meeting of these nations for quite some time, we'll go back to the Euro
23:0296 qualifiers, Greece won 1-0 at home, Scotland likewise at Hampden and Ali McCoy's goal,
23:12it was enough with 18 to play of that game, it was a crucial victory too, in fact the loss
23:20in Greece was the only game Scotland lost in that qualifying campaign.
23:28Ferguson chasing, he timed his run well there, broke down for him slightly but he'll settle
23:35for the corner, Scotland's first indeed, the first of the match.
23:40Yeah, it's a great run from Lewis Ferguson, spoke about the runs he makes and the positions
23:45he gets himself into, he makes that diagonal run off the left hand side, great pass from
23:51Gilmer and he just takes maybe a heavier touch than he would like Ferguson but what he does
23:56is keeps it alive and Scotland now have the corner.
23:59That knee injury last April ruled him out at the European Championship and you've felt
24:06he would have had a huge role to play.
24:09And he has taken to life at Bologna like a duck to water, no question they love him there.
24:18Robertson will take the corner, he won, that's a comfortable take for Zolakis, Zolis, and Siopsis finds Rota, Sumikas has found his way over to this near side.
24:44Brilliant atmosphere inside this stadium, it holds around about 33,000, it's pretty compact.
24:51And it's Craig Gordon's, all day long.
24:53It holds around about 33,000, it's pretty compact.
24:57And it's Craig Gordon's, all day long.
25:01It holds around 33,000, it's pretty compact.
25:05And it's Craig Gordon's, all day long, 42 years of age.
25:18I mean even if he hadn't had those dreadful injuries that cost him more than two years of his career, he's making up for it now to be fair.
25:30You'd still be astonished that a former teammate of yours in the national team is still going.
25:35Yeah, you would be absolutely, Craig Gordon.
25:40Despite the setbacks, show that hunger to continue putting his body through it.
25:47Training, getting back, you know, the rehab that he has to do, or he's had to do over the years.
25:53To show that mental strength and still be top, top goalkeeper.
25:59It's 21 years this year since he made his Scotland debut against Trinidad and Tobago.
26:05That's remarkable and he's showing no signs of slowing down.
26:11Well, his idol's Buffon, isn't it? He wants to keep going as long as possible, as Buffon did.
26:20McLean for McTominay.
26:22McTominay was caught by Mantellos there, McLean.
26:35Dummy from Adams, didn't quite fall for McTominay though.
26:47And back by the number 10.
26:51Scotland playing with a real maturity at the moment.
26:58Walston, comfortable headed away by Mavropanos.
27:18You can actually see it as the Nations League group campaign went on.
27:21They just were finding themselves becoming more and more comfortable playing against top-level teams.
27:27And they've got another corner here to try and test the Greek rearguard.
27:32Yeah, I think that, for me, performance levels throughout the Nations League campaign were good.
27:37It was the results at the start.
27:39You know, I heard a few of the players speak about the individual mistakes.
27:42And that's what happens when you go into a potty.
27:44You get punished if you make these mistakes.
27:46But certainly in terms of results, performance levels get better, results get better.
27:50I think a lot of that as well was down to the emergence of Ben Doak and being something totally different for Scotland.
27:59You know, Robertson clips it in, but it's the same outcome as the last one.
28:06Like, good luck away!
28:07And Simecas, Wikipedia, Anidis!
28:16Ralston Stoots didn't get the ball though.
28:22It's an excellent block there from Anthony Ralston.
28:34Decent fair this, both teams having a go.
28:52Gilmore for Robertson. Again, McTominay, he's caught two minds there, he saw Adams ahead of him.
29:16There was a period there where Scotland were being done by late goals on a regular basis.
29:20It all began in Amsterdam a year ago.
29:24You think of that late Celewski penalty in the opening Nations League match against the Poles at Hampden.
29:31Ronaldo's late winner in Lisbon.
29:36Of course, just heartbreakingly of all the Chobot goal for Hungary,
29:43knocked him out of the European Championship.
29:45Unidas.
29:51Again, Ralston covers well.
29:56They're trying that ball over the top, the Greeks, regularly.
29:58Yeah, they are, whether it's, you know, the right-hand side crosses towards the back post, certainly.
30:05Direct balls through the middle.
30:08Unidas making the run there and they will continue to make those runs, they will continue to probe.
30:13But there's no, like, you can see a bit of control from Scotland, there's no panic, and neither should there be.
30:26But they're not, it's not rushed, when they run the ball back, it's good possession, trying to build into that last third.
30:33Just that final, final pass, can you go and work the goalkeeper.
30:37Jalakis has very little to do apart from come for a few of the corner kicks and collect them fairly, you know, comfortably for them.
30:44Kenny McLean's found regular starts in his country recently.
30:5933 now, Kenny McLean getting to the tail end of his international career, you would think.
31:17But for so long he wasn't guaranteed a start at all by any stretch of the imagination for Scotland, but he was still in the squad, still turned up.
31:24Get this reward now.
31:26Yeah, you're spot on, and I think that's been key, you know, under Steve Clarke.
31:31There have been players that, you know, don't get a start very often, but they still turn up.
31:37Lewis Ferguson's another example of that.
31:39They still turn up, they still put themselves out there, and they're always ready when called upon.
31:45And I think the case of Kenny McLean, obviously, at Callum McGregor's retirement from international football, has helped that.
31:50But he's come in and he's made the position his own.
31:52And it's his 49th cap tonight, McLean, so he will be joining the role of honour, probably on Sunday.
32:10Unless he's suspended or injured, but that will be his target now.
32:13So many of the squad have managed to achieve that.
32:18It's the Greeks causing problems here.
32:21No free kick, it was Konstantiliassi went down.
32:27Gilmour, Adams trying desperately to stay onside over there.
32:31McTominay's with his traditional run into the box, and it's behind by Madrapanos.
32:35There's no offside.
32:38I think they timed it perfectly, Shea Adams.
32:41He did look to go earlier, but he held that run, and it was some really good play from Scotland.
32:48Initially into that position there where McGint loses it out, then Scotland do well to win it back.
32:51And the football in between the midfielders has been excellent.
32:56Shea Adams holds his run well.
32:58Tommy's the only one getting there, and I think Lewis Ferguson potentially there for a cutback.
33:02But it was a good bit of play from Scotland.
33:04The third corner of the piece for Scotland.
33:18Phoebe's two.
33:20Being snapped up by Konstantinos Olakis, the Greece keeper.
33:27Will Robertson do any better this time?
33:29McTominay trying desperately to get on to it, and he's managed to get a shot away.
33:37There's a flag over there in any case, but he's always alive in the opposition box.
33:44I thought it was in. I thought it was in, I'm not going to lie.
33:48Better ball in in Scotland, better players in better positions, and McTominay just keeps it alive.
33:55He's not well defended at all by Greece.
33:59Scott McTominay just managing to get something on it, whatever he can, but it's not enough.
34:05Yeah, I mean, he was using Georgos Masuras as leverage there, wasn't he?
34:10All Scott McTominay's 11 goals for his country have come in competitive matches, they have been crucial.
34:21Pinched back, here is McGinn.
34:22McLean.
34:23McLean.
34:24McLean again.
34:25McLean again.
34:26McLean.
34:27McLean again.
34:28McLean again.
34:29McLean again.
34:33He's back on it.
34:35McLean, McLean again, and he's back on it, Ferguson-Adams-McTominay in the box, and he got
35:00on that 20th international goal in Warsaw, McGinn, Wollstone's ball across, it's quips away
35:11from Ferguson, look at that from Robertson, really good run, it's a trademark, Greece felt
35:29that came off Adam's hand, but the goalkeeper's on it again.
35:38Mnstantelias, with Dizzolis.
35:46It's wouldn't settle for the Greeks there, it's going to be a Scotland ball too, and they
35:55haven't really been able to get Christos Zollis in the game.
35:59No, they haven't, they haven't, and that was a dangerous position, I thought Zollis was going
36:04to just cut in and get a shot away with his right foot, and actually as the ball is rolling
36:10out, I did feel like it was going to be a goal kick, so a strange decision for Masuras there
36:16to let it run out, but you can see the threat they had, the speed that they go and break
36:21it, make forward runs, the force of Scotland into retreating.
36:28Since they won the Euros they've been back to that tournament twice, been to a couple of
36:35World Cups as well.
36:40They fell a few years ago where they were really poor, but they've really, really come back,
36:45they are a team that have improved so much over the last few years, and that's why you
36:50know it's always going to be a tough game.
36:52Twelve years after they won it, they failed to qualify for Euro 2016, not just that, they
36:57finished bottom of their group and lost both games to the Faroe Islands.
37:05Proper ignominy that in international football.
37:10There's McTominay.
37:12He's gone down and he's clutching his ankle.
37:17Scott McTominay.
37:22It did look as though his ankle got caught there, and Tobias Styler looks as though he's
37:35handed Scotland a penalty here, albeit the VAR might yet bail the Greeks out.
37:42Maybe, I think McTominay shifts the ball, there is a follow through on Rotter.
37:49It is a strange, strange situation here, I think Scott McTominay takes the touch with
37:56the outside, he's right foot to take that inside.
37:58It's either, you know, the referee's made the decision that Rotter's kicked the
38:02strokes of Scott McTominay and feels that that is a penalty kick.
38:07Well it definitely looked like there was contact there.
38:10Here we go, right on the line.
38:15Yeah, I think that Rotter's trying to kick the ball and he kicks the studs.
38:22The sole has got McTominay's boot, so this for me will stand.
38:32It just looked strange, you don't see challenges like that often.
38:39They're still, in fact that's a check over, so the penalty has been awarded here.
38:44John McGinn had the ball initially, Scott McTominay though, looks like he's going to be the man tasked.
38:51With the spot kick.
38:56And Greece fans doing their best to put him off now.
39:03Mobbing the referee was basically outlawed before the European Championship last year.
39:08Only the captains can go and speak to the official.
39:10In a proper word with most of the Greece team there.
39:16Anyway, big moment for Scott McTominay here.
39:19And he converts!
39:22Brilliant penalty!
39:26And Scotland leading Greece!
39:29And it's a 12th international goal for McTominay!
39:34The magic man does it again!
39:36Yeah, absolutely.
39:37You know, he wins a penalty.
39:38He steps up to take it.
39:40Sulakas in goals.
39:41Bit of gamesmanship.
39:43Taking his time.
39:44Ask the referee a question that he probably doesn't need to.
39:47Adds to the pressure.
39:49And Scott McTominay stepping up.
39:51But it's nice, calm, plenty of power in it.
39:55Side foot, goalkeeper goes the wrong way.
39:57He's not saving it if he goes the right way anyway.
39:59It's a brilliant start for Scotland.
40:03And they scored twice in the Nations League group.
40:08And the Napoli man with aplomb there.
40:14And Scotland are off and running for 20-25, officially.
40:20He's got seven goals and four assists for Napoli as well this term.
40:35And he's another, like Ferguson, in the north of the country.
40:39McTominay in the south has just settled in so easily.
40:46For all those years at Manchester United.
40:55Yeah, he's had a phenomenal impact in Serie A, Scott McTominay.
40:58And he continues to have a phenomenal impact for Scotland.
41:01And Ferguson's being penalised there.
41:06Well, you don't want to annoy this referee because he dishes out yellow and red cards for fun.
41:19No, you don't, but Lewis Ferguson's point is the goalkeeper throws the ball a couple of yards outside the box.
41:29After the throw is awarded, he's telling them it's inside the box, but the goalkeeper is still going to take it from outside the box anyway.
41:35I don't want to do it anyway.
41:55Scotland with the lead.
41:58The first goal of this two-legged tie.
42:03They just looked at home out there.
42:11A lot of people questioning why they took on so many of those friendlies against top-tier sides.
42:21We heard more than one or two of the players talking about how much they've grown as a team,
42:27having taken on the likes of France and England, the Netherlands, and then those League A matches.
42:34They're stunning in the world of good.
42:42Rota.
42:44Rota.
42:45Rota.
42:46Rota.
42:47Rota.
42:48Rota.
42:49Rota.
42:50Rota.
42:51Rota.
42:52Rota.
42:53Rota.
42:54Rota.
42:55Rota.
42:56Rota.
42:57Rota.
42:58Rota.
42:59Rota.
43:00Rota.
43:02Rota.
43:03Rota.
43:04Rota.
43:05Rota.
43:06Rota.
43:07Rota.
43:08Rota.
43:09Rota.
43:10Rota.
43:11Rota.
43:12Rota.
43:13Rota.
43:14Rota.
43:15Rota.
43:16Rota.
43:17Rota.
43:18Rota.
43:19Rota.
43:20Rota.
43:21Rota.
43:22Rota.
43:23Rota.
43:24Rota.
43:25Rota.
43:26Rota.
43:27Rota.
43:28Rota.
43:29to Greece on the home side, he's been strong, I think maybe just the theatrics, now Solis goes down there.
43:41They've been playing most of their matches at the Olympic Stadium up the road in Athens,
43:46they've returned here for the first time since 2017 for this game.
43:55Rota.
44:00Constantelius.
44:05Mavropanos for Glierakis.
44:09Solis getting it from Simicass.
44:14Scotland's standing firm here though, a couple of strong banks of four.
44:21The thing that came into this game is something like the fair, where it's not a case of going chase
44:26and trying to win the game in the first half, it's been play your way into the game, be solid, and when you get the ball, use it well, don't need to force it.
44:38Understand, we spoke about Greece, they're a good sign, they're going to have possession of the ball, don't panic, keep your shape, try and force the ball into the wide areas and win it back from there.
44:47Not like a foul on Adams there, against Antelias, and then headed well over by Ioannidis.
44:56Yeah, again, you know, they're looking dangerous coming down the sides, he just gets too much on it, I actually thought he could have done better than Ioannidis as he comes in.
45:09Yeah, he can, it's a good header from the striker.
45:24The Greeks were quite unlucky to have to come into this game, they picked up 15 points in that Nations League group which would have been good enough to win any other section in League B.
45:34In League B, 3-0 home defeat to England, two late English goals that turned the head-to-head in England's favour as England won the group.
45:47Scotland started out with a hat-trick of defeats, losing 3-2 at home to Poland, having gone back to 2-2 in that game, 2-0 down at one point.
46:12The late Ronaldo goal in Portugal, then Croatia and Zagreb where Shea Adams started equalised in the closing stages, only for it to be ruled out after a VAR check.
46:27After a VAR check.
46:36True with Portugal, won the final two matches.
46:41Opportunity here from distance from Masuras.
46:44No drama.
46:45Not, not at the end, but certainly when the ball comes into him again, he's looking for a foul, I don't think it is.
46:56But then, it's a straight out of the backlight.
47:01Suras.
47:03It's a poor effort.
47:05Just interesting the way that Scotland can keep the ball, but without real pressure from Greece, but the pressure just built and built and they went in numbers.
47:15And they forced that risky pass into the feet of McGint and then they're in a position to win it back.
47:22That's it for McTominay, here is Simikas.
47:38Unused sub for Liverpool on Sunday at Wembley.
47:49Right along the 18-yard line, that was right in front of the referee.
47:54Gordon holds on.
47:56You can see the arms outstretched from Mantalos.
48:00Clearly, he feels he's been fouled here and it's right in the 18-yard line.
48:04Yeah, that's a great spot for the referee for me.
48:08He's looking for it.
48:09He is, and I think that Lewis Ferguson, it looks like he is going to go and put the challenge in.
48:14I don't know if there's any contact here.
48:18Certainly not a great angle to see it.
48:23Maybe there is, when the left leg comes over.
48:25Meanwhile, McGint, wonderful play from Scotland, Gilmore's in, he's looking for a penalty.
48:34The referee says no for now.
48:39I was still talking about the Greece one.
48:41And then Scotland got in the park.
48:43Billy Gilmore goes in, it looks like he's going to pull the trigger.
48:46It's a great play again.
48:47And there may well be a slight nod on his back.
48:52Simikas puts the right arm over his shoulder.
48:54I'm not sure you're getting that.
49:02I don't think that'll be given.
49:06They're not checking it.
49:08I mean, it does give him a nudge.
49:11But I think he's close enough to him.
49:13He'll get away with that being a normal kind of contact.
49:20Yeah, that one's been waved away.
49:24Look, I'll take it if he's want to give it, but I don't think there's enough in it.
49:28There's a penalty converted by McTominay that Scotland had the lead because of.
49:32And Shea Adams was in there as well.
49:34And the goalkeeper put himself into all kinds of mess there, Zolakis.
49:41He's really fortunate that Adams hasn't been able to profit.
49:44Yeah, I mean, I can understand why he takes it early, Shea Adams,
49:49but I just don't know if he's aware of how much time he actually has.
49:53The first-time pass from Gilmourt after Zolakis has made a mess of it.
49:58He's going to Tormany inside him.
50:00I think he can take another touch.
50:02Desperation for the goalkeeper getting back.
50:10Constantelias out to Rota.
50:14Steve Clarke out of your picture, he's down on the edge of his technical area,
50:32and he tends to spend most of the match.
50:35Looks quite calm.
50:37He's very, very pleased with what he's seen
50:40as we tick towards the final minute of the opening 45.
50:44Absolutely.
50:46It's been a strong, confident performance from Scotland, certainly.
50:50When they've landed on the ball,
50:52being patient, knocking the ball about.
50:55When they've had to defend,
50:57sometimes they may be messed up initially,
50:59but the recovery's been good.
51:01The shapes look good, they look comfortable within it.
51:03The key of Gordon's had nothing to do.
51:14And Wollstone facing his own goal.
51:16When it comes, Gordon will clutch on.
51:17It's been quite the journey over the last 12 months for these Scotland players,
51:29me and you, but at Amsterdam a year ago,
51:31where they played some excellent stuff,
51:33but were on the receiving end of a 4-0.
51:35As McGinn turns, lovely pirouette, it's Adams!
51:42It's wide.
51:45Scotland looking so dangerous every time they come forward.
51:48Yeah, absolutely.
51:49John McGinn is brilliant.
51:51And see if Adams look for me, he does the right thing,
51:53gets out of his feet, gets a shot,
51:55he's trying to fire it across,
51:57into that far post.
51:59Goalkeeper gets a touch on it,
52:00Scott McTominay's there maybe to pick up the rebound.
52:03But it's good play, again.
52:06McTominay, McGinn, Ferguson all in support to Adams.
52:10And Scotland have, you know, done well into those areas,
52:12maybe just that final pass, that final shot.
52:15Could be a little bit better.
52:20Amsterdam I mentioned, James,
52:21they were playing some excellent football,
52:24played the Dutch off the park in many spells during that match,
52:27and Ronald Koeman even said afterwards that the 4-0 flattered his team.
52:31But you could see the building blocks there,
52:34and they've had to go through some serious pain
52:37to get the gain,
52:38and they'll be hoping that there'll be plenty of that this year.
52:42It's a good run.
52:44Here by Rotta, who goes down,
52:45and the Greeks love a free kick.
52:48Right at the edge of the book,
52:49and Lewis Ferguson's yellow card in.
52:57Obviously, given he's been out the national team for a year,
53:00he's not one of those walking the tightrope with regards to the second leg.
53:06And he's spot on.
53:07I actually felt as though it was extremely soft,
53:10given some of the challenges that the referee's allowed.
53:13There's no contact for me, I think Rotta's the one that initiates it.
53:17Again, there's a booking for Lewis Ferguson.
53:22Craig Gordon there, 80th cap,
53:23and he's managed to keep 35 clean sheets over his more than two decades.
53:41Final chance for the Greeks to level before the break, Simikas with it,
53:51and he ripples the top of the net.
53:53And it looks as though Scotland are going to go in at the break with a lead.
54:01Yeah.
54:02I mean, it's a good position, Simikas.
54:04I just don't know if there's enough power on it.
54:06Obviously can't get it down.
54:07Craig Gordon has it covered anyway, but you're right,
54:11it does look like Scotland are going to go in with a lead.
54:14It's been a fantastic first half of football from Scotland.
54:18Yeah, what's been striking is how comfortable they have looked here.
54:28A red-hot atmosphere.
54:30But they do have the lead at half-time,
54:34Scott McTominay's penalty is making the difference right now.
54:38Both teams have looked dangerous in the match.
54:44And there was the possibility of another penalty
54:47when Billy Gilmore was upended by Simikas in the box after the VAR check.
54:52It was waved away.
54:53And the understudy to Andy Robertson clearly has plenty to say
54:59to the German referee.
55:01Half-time here in Pirius.
55:03It's Grisnell, Scotland 1.
55:05While影響 Jibo goes to World군,
55:08it is often destroyed by butbuhroong Bobe says
55:09well, who doesn't have fun?
55:10Yeah.
55:11They're always gonna sail for the few times.
55:12Back in Mirinda,
55:14there will be a fail.
55:15There'll be a fail,
55:16it's already found a town I found a space that stands again in France.
55:18Here a few times,
55:20the front-time has remained flat at the City of Lening preachers.
55:23So that's where we're experiencing the Asheville.
55:26When an enemy started to be healthy we're working.
55:27It's always been a flat-time brand out.
55:28So that the ACC didn't really fit too much in the area of the orientation to your university
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