Ally McCoist reckons Scotland disastrous end to their Euro 2024 campaign could’ve been prevented.
Steve Clarke’s side were holding their own in a tightly-contested Group A finale until a series of changes and a hung-ho approach let Hungary gain momentum before scoring a 100-minute winner.
That goal from Kevin Csoboth sent the Tartan Army packing and McCoist can’t help but feel that Scotland missed a huge opportunity to progress into the knockout stage for the first time in their history, particularly as the defence is wide open when the sucker-punch arrives.
"I was disappointed at the end of the game last night, I knew we had to go and win it,” he sighed.
“Not scoring a goal last night was not good but it was not a total disaster. Losing a goal last night was a total disaster. Losing a goal puts you out of the tournament, not scoring a goal doesn't necessarily put you out of the tournament.
“People say you need to go and win the game, I do understand that, but, come on guys, you cannot leave yourself one vs one at the back. I don't care at what level."
Clarke pointed to the penalty decision going against Scotland following the game.
Stuart Armstrong went down under a challenge inside the box but the ref played on, and McCoist acknowledges that at first glance he thought the decision was correct. However, on reflection the VAR officials must review it.
"It's amazing, I am going to be brutally honest with you,” the Rangers legend told talkSPORT.
“When I first saw it, I actually didn't think it was a penalty. Then I watch it again and he definitely hits his calf. I think Orban catches Armstrong's calf with his knee.
“I can understand, perhaps, the referee not thinking it was a penalty right at the start like I did. It must go to VAR like I did.
“It's funny because the first person I met when doing a post-mortem after the game was Pat Nevin. I was talking away to Pat and he still didn't think it was a penalty. We have all got different opinions. I don't think there is any doubt, when I look at it, why VAR has not had a look at it is baffling.
"But that's one incident. In the grand scheme of things we haven't performed to any level like we could and should have. We're talking about a penalty which should have been given, yes. Would it have altered the way the game went? Without doubt. But in the bigger picture we weren't good enough."
On what decision the Scottish FA should make on Clarke’s future, McCoist said: “The first thing I do if I'm Steve Clarke is I do not make any knee-jerk reaction. And while I'm at, neither does the SFA. The one thing Steve Clarke deserves is a little bit of time to mull things over. Maybe go on a wee holiday.
“He will come back and, I imagine, he will have a chat with the bosses at the SFA and then discuss the whole thing over. The one thing is the chance to mull things over, have a chat, if he wants to carry on then he has to have a chat with the bosses.
“If they want to change it, they need to sit down and have a chat with him. David Moyes would of course be an option.
“Would there be other options? I'm not sure there would be that many options out there. I would be quite happy for him (Clarke) to continue. He would look back on it and probably say he made mistakes.
“I looked at the game last night, I understand you've got to win. You may start with Lewis Morgan, someone with a bit of pace, I thought we struggled in wide areas across the tournament."
