Scotland promised us it was our time but we got the unhappiest ending imaginable – Keith Jackson in Stuttgart

Wake us up when this is over and the pain has been numbed. Because what went on here in Stuttgart last night felt like a rerun of all our very worst tournament nightmares.

An amalgamation of years of crushing disappointment all rolled into one agonising night of heartache. A goal from sub Kevin Csoboth in the 11th minute injury time is what did the damage. Officially, at least. But the truth is it’s difficult to mount much of a convincing argument as to what Scotland might have been able to offer the knock-out stages in any case, now that they have surrendered any hope of getting there. Again.

All that was required of them was to find a way to overcome a limited, ordinary opponent who had managed no points from two Group A games. That they could not do it ensured that this was both a result and a performance which was simply not worthy of the occasion. Yes, it was frantic near the end and a lucky break might have turned the ultimate outcome on its head.

But even so, this was not what the Tartan Army had seen in the brochure, before travelling here in such numbers. They assured us they were ready. That this was their moment.

That lessons had been learned and the mistakes which did for them last time round, would be eliminated. But ultimately, as the team bus rolled into the concrete underbelly of Stuttgart’s MHP Stadium a couple of hours or so ahead of kick-off, so the time for big talk and bold promises had reached its journey’s end.

Now it was a matter of actually delivering and just to remind them of the sacrifices suffered along the way, Kieran Tierney ’s No.6 shirt was hung up on display inside the home dressing room. How he would have sorely loved to have been in there along with this band of brothers instead