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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Scotland hero Kenny McLean stuns Norway as he admits "results like this make hard work worthwhile" on 30th cap

Cambuslang's Kenny McLean was the hero for Scotland last night in Euro 2024 qualifying, as his last-gasp winner against Erling Haaland's Norway helped complete a dramatic late comeback for the ages.

Manchester City's superstar treble winner Haaland had put the hosts in front with just over 20 minutes remaining in Oslo, leaving Scotland staring at their first defeat of the European Qualifying campaign after openings wins over Spain and Cyprus.

But in the 87th minute Lyndon Dykes poked home an equaliser and then substitute McLean popped up two minutes later to stroke home a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from a Dykes lay-off, sending the stunned Tartan Army into raptures.

It keeps Scotland's 100 per cent record at the top of Group A intact, ahead of second-place Georgia visiting Hampden on Tuesday night.

And 31-year-old matchwinner McLean told Sky Sports: "Goals change games and they did for us. We were hanging in at the end.

"The lads who played 90 minutes out there, I don't know how they did it.

"I was sitting in the dugout sweating. Just watching it I was knackered.

"We've worked so hard over the last few weeks, results like this make it worthwhile.

"We're in a decent position, but we want to be in an even better position. It's quite hard to put into words just now.

"It's a good feeling, especially being the winner.

"The lads did so much, and we made the changes and got some momentum after the first goal.

"The character to come back from that is outstanding. I think we can still do better with the ball. But listen, I'll take that all day."

Steve Clarke's Scotland side sit five points clear of Georgia and six ahead of Spain, having played a game more.

A victory over Georgie would see the team edge closer to booking their place on the plane to Germany next summer.

But Norwich City midfielder McLean, who replaced Ryan Porteous after 79 minutes to win a milestone 30th cap, isn't getting complacent.

He added: "It was a massive step for us in the group but we have a lot of work to do and we have a game in a few days.

“We will enjoy this now but we need to go and recover. Nobody wants to hear it but that’s what we have to do.”

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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