Scotland’s manager Steve Clarke expressed disappointment over the lack of penalty calls during his team’s narrow 1-0 defeat against Morocco. Both John McGinn and Scott McTominay fervently appealed for penalties after challenges from Moroccan defenders, with McGinn asserting that Neil El Aynaoui “Everyone when I did my television interviews was talking about the Scott McTominay one,”
While Clarke refrained from criticizing the officiating directly, he indicated that the decisions appeared contentious, suggesting that Morocco’s Issa Diop might have been sent off earlier in the match. The only goal of the game came just 70 seconds in, although Scotland showed resilience in the second half.
“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 noted. “I was a little bit 50/50 as well on the Ché Adams [challenge], last man,”
On the subject of Diop’s challenge on Ché Adams, Clarke reflected, “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.”
McGinn also shared his thoughts on the situation, stating, “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.”
He added, “I am proud of the players but obviously we are all devastated,”
Looking ahead, Scotland’s focus will soon shift to their upcoming match against Brazil on Wednesday in Miami, a critical game that could determine their advancement from the group stage for the first time.
“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 remarked. “The players will suffer a bit over the next 48 hours. They don’t like losing against anybody.”
He further acknowledged Morocco’s quality, stating, “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 praised Lewis Ferguson for his performance, reiterating his commendation from the previous match, while addressing concerns regarding Kieran Tierney’s exit from the game. He confirmed that Tierney had only experienced cramp before being substituted for Ben Gannon-Doak.
