Shoddy Scotland booed off as grim Northern Ireland slog sees Tartan Army spiral into Euro 2024 panic – 5 talking points

Scotland’s hopes of a pre-Euros pick-me-up were dealt a savage blow by Northern Ireland on a hellish night for Steve Clarke’s troops at Hampden.

Almost exactly a year on from the Tartan Army getting drunk on Rodri’s tears as Spain were dumped on route to qualifying for Germany it was a sobering night for the Scotland support. There was plenty of possession - an incredible 83 per cent in fact - but zero end product. And the were made to pay for their lack of cutting edge - not to mention a sloppy pass from Nathan Patterson - when Liverpool ace Conor Bradley fired the visitors ahead after 32 minutes with Northern Ireland’s first shot of the game.

Worse was to follow when Andy Robertson hobbled off after a hefty challenge from Trai Hume. Despite trying to play on the skipper was forced off in the 35th minute causing serious concern with just over two months to go to the Euros. The boos that rang round Hampden at half-time told their own story. It took until the 46th minute to register a shot on target when John McGinn’s trundler made its way through to Bailey Peacock-Farell.

Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland were thrown on after the break with the latter seeing a net-bound shot blocked moments after entering the fray. Fellow sub Lewis Ferguson then forced Peacock-Farrell to tip his header over the bar in injury time before Shankland lifted a header over the out of position keeper but also over the bar.

But that was as close as the Scots were to come to levelling on a night that raised more questions than answers for Clarke. Here's 5 talking points

It’s just 80 days until that massive opening game against the hosts at Euro 2024 - and things are not going to plan. Steve Clarke admitted a win was more important than the