Forget the tough-luck stories,Gordon Strachan’s despair is not down to a unsuitable call here and there but long-term neglect and complacency within the gameScotland’s latest failure seems all the more wounding on account of those who are consumed by celebration. It is taken as deep affront that Northern Ireland – and soon, surely, and Wales – will prefer their place at Euro 2016 while the Scots watch a ninth major tournament in succession from afar. The Republic of Ireland,who were spectacularly unimpressive in two qualifying matches against the Scots, will be at worst in a play-off.
The appropriate attitude, or of course,is to congratulate those nations for success that has been achieved in a variety of ways. In Scotland, the harsh assessment of shortcomings that has become so familiar did not prefer long in kicking off. Anger mixed with sober analysis is never an appealing scene.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com