Alex McLeish has urged Spain to "get a grip" after some of the group's post-match comments following their defeat to Scotland.
Captain Rodri criticised Scotland’s “rubbish” approach to football after his team were on the end of a Hampden defeat in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The Manchester City player accused Scotland of time-wasting and provocation after Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay hit a double to earn Scotland a 2-0 victory and a first win over Spain in 39 years.
Rodri told Viaplay Sports: “It’s the way they play. You have to respect at the end but for me it’s a bit rubbish because it’s always wasting time. They provoke you and they always fall.
“This for me is not football. For the speed of the sport you have to move on, but the referee has to take part of this and he says nothing.
“It was frustrating because we want to win and it’s difficult because they waste time, waste time. But it is what it is. They have their weapons and we have our weapons and we will learn for the next time.”
There were also complaints of the Hampden surface being too long, but McLeish was not having any of the excuses as he appeared on Sky Sports News this morning.
The former Scotland boss said: "I know. Come on. Get a grip, guys.
"Just eat the humble pie and say the better team won on the night.
"They will be urgently looking to the return game in Spain to try and make up for it. That is the way football goes.
"Scotland won deservedly and Spain should just eat that pie and get on with it."
On the game itself, McLeish added: "The lads played a wonderful game against a team who rely upon as much possession as possible to try and pass you to death.
"They overcame that, they got the early goal, they defended really well, they were so organised.
"We now have some real power in terms of getting into the box.
"When you beat a team with the magnitude of Spain and you do so in style and with composure, then you have taken great strides.
"The lads are playing in top leagues. Most of them are in the Premier League, we have a great contingent down there."
