Scotland 3-1 Greece: Second Half Comeback Seals Crucial Home Victory
Scotland 3-1 Greece Christie (64′) Ferguson (80′) Dykes (90+3′) Tsimikas (62′) A gritty second-half comeback moved Scotland onto 7 points in Group C, as their World Cup sprint continued in dramatic fashion. Ben Gannon-Doak had an early chance to stretch his legs in the first minute. The home side worked the ball to John McGinn on the edge of the box, but the Aston Villa captain’s shot was blocked. Christos Tzolis featured for Club Brugge in a 9-1 Champions League thrashing against Rangers. He delivered a tantalising pass across the six-yard box after seven minutes, which Vangelis Pavlidis could not steer goalwards. It was a golden opportunity, which helped to settle Ivan Jovanovic’s side. Greece continued to threaten in the opening 15 minutes, the home defence blocked an Anastasios Bakasetas strike inside the box, and Kostas Tsimikas blasted over from the resultant corner kick. The visitors dominated possession, building on their last Hampden visit, which ended in a 3-0 victory. Their confident start was ominous for the frustrated home support. Konstantinos Tzolakis eventually cleared John McGinn’s deep cross on 17 minutes as Scotland looked to wrestle control back in the game. But despite surviving the early onslaught, Scotland were struggling to get their foot on the ball. The Greek press suffocated the home defence for large portions of the first period, allowing cheap turnovers in dangerous areas. Pavlidis almost took advantage of their latest turnover on 32 minutes. After locating acres of space on the edge of the box, he drilled a low deflected shot, which Gunn had to be alert to parry away. The match was goalless at halftime, and Scotland lacked an attacking edge. Steve Clarke’s side have one win in nine at Hampden Park, and would have to deliver a more assured second-half performance if they were to continue their positive start to Group C. Scotland were awarded another let-off in the first minute of the second half. Tsimikas had space to pick out Pavlidis in the box with a left-hand cross, the striker sharply moved across Grant Hanley but headed over. Greece played through Scotland with ease after 53 minutes. Tzolis and Pavlidis danced around several navy jerseys; the latter found Giorgos Masouras, who lashed over. The goal finally arrived in the 62nd minute. A Pavlidis shot deflected into the path of the unmarked Tsimikas, who made no mistake to roll past Gunn. The goal felt inevitable and warranted the Greeks’ dominant showing. Miraculously, Scotland struck level two minutes later. Ryan Christie bundled home Grant Hanley’s knockout after substitute Anthony Ralston had kept a Scotland corner alive. A nervy VAR check ensued, but with the goal confirmed, relief could be felt all around Hampden Park. Greece, to their credit, found their rhythm once more. The introduction of wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas offered further firepower in the visiting attack. Che Adams almost converted an inventive free kick in the 73rd minute. He peeled into space at the front post, but his shot was deflected wide. Hampden erupted in the 80th minute as Scotland found their second goal. Andy Robertson teased a free kick to the back post, which Greece failed to clear. Lewis Ferguson was alert to smash high into the net, completing an unlikely comeback. The home side had six minutes of stoppage time to negotiate as they ticked closer to a precious victory. Gunn pushed a Karetsas strike round the post in the 91st minute to keep the Scots ahead. Lyndon Dykes sealed the victory in the 93rd minute. Greek goalie Tzolakis spilt the ball into the striker’s path, who had the easy task of firing into the open goal. Scotland laboured for 64 minutes, but took a major step towards a first World Cup appearance in 27 years. They welcome Belarus to Hampden on Sunday evening in their 4th qualifying game. Scotland: Gunn 6 Hickey 6 Hanley 7 Souttar 6 Robertson 6 Gannon-Doak 6 Ferguson 6 Christie 7 McGinn 6 McTominay 6 Adams 6 Substitutes: Ralston 6 Gilmour 6 Tierney 6 Dykes 6 McKenna Greece:Tzolakis 6 Vagiannidis 7 Mavropanos 6 Koulierakis 6 Tsimikas 7 Kourbelis 6 Zafeiris 7 Masouras 7 Baketsas 6 Tzolis 8 Pavlidis 7 Substitutes: Ioannidis 5 Karetsas 5 Konstantelias 5 Mouzakitis 4 Mantalos 4
‘He’ll raise the standards’ – Kris Boyd believes Steven Gerrard’s return ends fan fury
Steven Gerrard’s sensational return to Rangers edges ever closer as positive talks are being had with the Ibrox board in London. The Light Blues are on the hunt for their 21st permanent manager in the club’s history following the sacking of Russell Martin after 123 days in charge. Gerrard left the Gers four years ago after winning the Scottish Premiership and stopped Celtic winning ten league titles in a row. The Englishman has been out of the game since departing Al-Ettifaq nine months ago, but is keen to return to management if the right opportunity comes available. Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd believes the appointment of the footballing legend is a no brainer and he knows what is required to be a success at the Govan club. He said on Sky Sports News: “If there is a deal to be done with Steven Gerrard I think it should get done. “You look at what he brought to Rangers the last time – it needs that sort of lift and injection again because it’s been flat now for a period of time. “Steven will no doubt bring a presence with him. He’ll lift the standards. And I think, first and foremost, he knows what’s required to be a success at Rangers football club. “It’s not as if he’s going to come into something that’s alien to him. He’s been there. He’s had the pressures of a city in Liverpool on his shoulders for a number of years. “He came to Glasgow. It took him time, but he eventually got there, and you just felt as if the Rangers board at that time would have backed him, then he would probably have won more. “They didn’t. He decided to leave, and I think that’s why he’s saying he’s saying he’s got a lot of unfinished business in football, and there’s no doubt that Rangers football club were one of those.” Boyd added that the return of the 45-year-old will get the Rangers faithful feeling positive about the future and would end the toxicity that is currently surrounding the football club: “There’s been a lot of discontent between the fans and the club. But I get the feeling that if Rangers are bold enough to get Steven Gerrard, then that would all disappear. “Everybody would be happy to look forward to your next match, but listen, when you’re going to get somebody like Steven Gerrard, and you know what he’s going to bring. “You know the standards and the presence he’s coming that I’ve spoken about there. But the big thing for me would be that he’s a winner. “Rangers football club needs people in there who understand what it takes to win games with football. Steven Gerrard has definitely got that. “He’s won at Rangers before, they’ll be hoping that he can come back and kick on from there.”
