Steve Clarke: Scotland Unlucky Not to Get Penalties in Morocco Defeat

Steve Clarke believes Scotland were unfortunate not to be awarded at least one penalty during their 1-0 defeat to Morocco.

In separate incidents, John McGinn and Scott McTominay appealed vociferously for spot-kicks under challenges from Moroccan players.

McGinn later insisted a Morocco defender Neil El Aynaoui “took me out”.

While Clarke steered well clear of castigating the match officials, he clearly felt the decisions were borderline and suggested Morocco’s Issa Diop could have been red carded early in the game.

The deciding goal arrived after just 70 seconds, with Scotland spirited in the second half.

“Everyone when I did my television interviews was talking about the Scott McTominay one,” Clarke said. ‘That is the one I didn’t watch back. I thought the John McGinn one was 50/50. Some would give it and I think if the referee gives it, the VAR doesn’t overturn it. So I can only speak on that one.’

Clarke volunteered opinion on Diop, who was booked for a foul on the Scotland striker Ché Adams.

“I was a little but 50/50 as well on the Ché Adams [challenge], last man,” Clarke added. “He had a chance to go through one on one with the goalkeeper and is brought down. The referee chooses yellow. There is nothing we can do about it.”

Assessing his own incident, McGinn said: “Sometimes that goes for you. If we got a couple of those penalty decisions for us, I don’t think VAR intervenes. Out the corner of my eye, I could see [the Morocco defender] charging in. I got first contact to the ball and he took me out. It’s a penalty kick for me. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. If it was given on the field, no chance it’s overturned.

“Morocco have got away with one there. But we need to be better and create chances from open play, not rely on referee’s decisions.”

Scotland’s attention will shortly turn to Wednesday and a game with Brazil in Miami which will determine whether they advance from the group stage for the first time ever.

“I am proud of the players but obviously we are all devastated,” said Clarke. “The players will suffer a bit over the next 48 hours. They don’t like losing against anybody.

“Right throughout the team, Morocco had a bit of class. But we gave it a good go. Morocco know they have been in a game tonight. We have shown we can compete at this level.”

Clarke, who singled out Lewis Ferguson for praise for a second game in succession, allayed fears over the second-half injury sustained by Kieran Tierney. Scotland’s manager said Tierney had only suffered cramp before being replaced by Ben Gannon-Doak.