Rodri smack talk 'agitated' Scotland as big mouth Spain taunts register inside our dressing room

Miffed John Carver admits he was left annoyed by the excuses that followed Scotland's stunning win over Spain in March.

La Roja were left spewing after Steve Clarke's heroes outclassed them at Hampden as Scott McTominay's deadly double secured a deserved 2-0 win to boost our hopes of reaching Euro 2024 back in March. And now Scotland – boasting five wins from five in Group A – can seal their place in Germany next summer with a point on Thursday night.

Manchester City Rodri led the tears from the Spanish camp and Carver admitted he was less than impressed. Speaking ahead of the reunion in Seville, Carver said: “I didn’t like it. I thought it was disrespectful, but it was their prerogative to say whatever they want to say, if they wanted to use that as an excuse, I don't know. As far as I am concerned, it agitated me and I am sure it would have got to some of the players.

"It has been a long time gone since then and it is about being professional and having a clear head into this game so I don't think it will be a distraction. Any win is sweet and you celebrate it, for sure, but after what they said afterwards it would be nice to win."

Rodri's words were broadcast round the globe as he sensationally claimed Scotland's methods were not football. He said: “For me, it's a bit rubbish because it's always wasting time. They provoke you. They always fall. This is for me not football. The referee has to take part of this and he says nothing. It's frustrating because we want to win, because you waste time, you waste time. But they have their weapons and we will learn for the next time.”