This now constitutes a rocky start for Sébastien Pocognoli as Scotland’s manager.
The claiming of four points from three Nations League games was adequate until Slovenia inflicted this defeat. It was the abject nature of Scotland’s display this time that was so stark. Pocognoli’s team were comprehensively outplayed by a side who themselves are no better than functional.
November feels significant for Pocognoli. Put simply, Slovenia met a Scotland who were far, far too easy to play against. Pocognoli has to prove this is the dawn of a new era as opposed to the beginning of an error. This is no patient football domain.
A pre-match presentation to Andy Robertson, who reached the 100-cap mark during Scotland’s win in North Macedonia on Saturday, carried wider meaning. Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish, Robertson’s first two Scotland managers, were joined on the Hampden pitch by Steve Clarke. This marked a swift and welcome return to the national stadium for Clarke, who departed the Scotland job in unsatisfactory circumstances following failings at the World Cup. Clarke, bashful by nature, took as significant a bow as he was ever likely before supporters but Robertson’s warmth towards the Ayrshireman was clear.
Scotland find themselves in a post-Clarke state of flux. He was the manager who made this nation relevant on the wider stage once again. There was, however, a widespread criticism that Clarke’s team lacked ambition. Pocognoli has been charged not only with maintaining at least decent results while delivering an alternative brand of football. It remains to be seen whether the dual quest is fanciful or not.
The first quarter of the game mirrored the opening half when these teams met in Ljubljana. Scotland looked uncertain and ragged. Slovenia were perfectly comfortable, not only in a defensive sense but when springing into attack. Adam Cerin should have afforded the visitors a 13th-minute lead but failed to connect with appropriate force, allowing Jack Hendry to boot clear when just three yards from his own goal. This venue, which should be an asset to Scotland, was eerily quiet.
Ryan Christie raised the mood. That the goal was horribly ugly mattered not a jot to anyone of a Scottish persuasion. A short free-kick was played wide to Ben Gannon-Doak, whose deflected cross was headed on to a post by Hendry. Modern football’s madness means Oli McBurnie will be credited with an assist for the header he was undoubtedly trying to score with. The ball instead landed at the feet of Christie, who flicked it home from close range. Christie will be a bigger asset to Pocognoli than he initially appeared to realise. Here, the Bournemouth player supplied breathing space.
Robertson demonstrated his ongoing value before the break. Zan Vipotnik seemed certain to equalise before the Tottenham left-back’s rescue act, courtesy of a sliding block. Ominously for Scotland, Danijel Sturm had totally bamboozled their three-man defence when supplying Vipotnik.
It was impossible to argue Slovenia were not worthy of their equaliser, which landed 11 minutes after half-time. It came from a Scotland throw-in, where possession was cheaply conceded. Sturm played through the centre and towards Aljosa Matko, who brushed Luis Binks aside as if the Brøndby defender was not even there. The Scotland goalkeeper, Angus Gunn, as is something of a theme, was weak in trying to deal with Matko’s shot. Sturm should have sent Slovenia in front two minutes later but saved the blushes of a hilariously open Scotland defence by shooting over. This had to be alarming for Pocognoli.
McBurnie’s withdrawal meant 20 caps have come and gone for the Hull striker without scoring. With 70 minutes played, this felt like the least of Scotland’s worries. Slovenia were comprehensively outplaying their hosts. Pocognoli switched to a back four for the first time in this elongated international window shortly before Matko was denied his second goal of the night by an offside flag. The decision was not at all debatable.
Neither was the goal which took Slovenia ahead. This time Matko turned supplier, having rampaged down the right flank and crossed for the onrushing Sturm. Gunn was left with no chance as Sturm slammed the ball past him. For the first time in his brief tenure, Pocognoli was subjected to Tartan Army boos.
Findlay Curtis and Josh McPake were denied claims for Scotland penalties. McPake was lively having stepped from the bench. Too many of his teammates either underperformed or are not cut out for this level. It is up to Pocognoli, and sharply, to source answers.
