Kenny McLean admits Scotland were 'desperate' for historic win as Hungary landed sucker-punch

Kenny McLean says Scotland had to go for the win against Hungary, but left themselves exposed in defence.

Kevin Csoboth took advantage of that 10 minutes into stoppage time, rattling in the goal that sent Scotland home early from Germany with just a point to their name.

Scotland had looked to make history by qualifying for the knock-out stages for the first time, but were denied in Stuttgart.

A controversial decision not to award a penalty when Stuart Armstrong appeared to be fouled by Willi Orban enraged the Scotland bench.

But while piling players forward, Steve Clarke’s side were left exposed, with Csoboth breaking the deadlock.

Norwich hero McLean, from Cambuslang, who came on as a late sub for Anthony Ralston in the 1-0 defeat, says Scotland maybe went too gung-ho in the closing stages, but they couldn’t have played for a draw.

McLean said: “I think the game was in the balance for the 90 minutes, really. You could see that one goal was going to be the difference.

“I think we just got a bit too desperate and committed a bit too many bodies forward, and left ourselves exposed at the back, which we didn’t fully have to do.

“We wanted the point, which now would have been better, but I think we would have left too much to chance, had we just played for a draw.

“Hindsight is obviously good, but I think at the time, to go for the result was obviously the right thing to do.

“We ended up throwing caution to the wind to try and win it, and we got caught late on. It’s difficult just now to put it into words, because it’s so raw. It’s just hurt and disappointment, really.”

McLean, 32, added:: “We knew we’d be clutching at straws a wee bit to go through with two points. Obviously there might have been an opportunity, but we