Scotland Men's Football Team

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No Scotland head coach has gone through what Steve Clarke is enduring right now.

A run of eight competitive games without victory is the worst in the nation's history. Including friendlies, it's one win in 14 attempts.

To turn it around, Scotland and Clarke need three things. Patience, bravery, and trust.

Patience must come from the fans. That's according to Pat Nevin, the former Scotland winger, who admits it's probably the hardest thing for Clarke to come by.

"We've got fairly patient supporters," Nevin told BBC Scotland. "They understand the limitations of Scotland a lot of the time and have done for generations. That’s the hard one and I understand why some people lose patience."

The bravery, says Nevin, must come from the Scottish FA board to stick by their man, even if this slump continues - which it very well might, given Scotland's next four games (Croatia away, Portugal home, Croatia home, Poland away).

"They need to stand back and realise the basics are there," Nevin added. "We’ve got a good coach who gets the best that he possibly can do from the group.

"I get the feeling they will [back Clarke]. They really enjoyed the fact that they got those two Euros in a row. Okay, we didn’t do so well when we got there but it is all about getting there. I think he deserves it and I think they'll think that too."

Finally, Clarke needs the trust of his players. Stephen McGinn, brother of Scotland star John, is certain the head coach has that.

"From within the camp, the guys have total trust in Clarke," McGinn said. "They enjoy it. There's been times over the last 20 years of being a Scotland fan where I've looked at a squad and I thought, 'You're disjointed, you don't like the staff, you don't like each other, you don't like going'.

"We don't have that. We need to be careful with the narrative of really pushing it and getting rid of a manager that we all know deep down can get us to a major tournament."

Maybe there's a fourth thing Clarke would ask for, too. Context.

In this dreadful run of 14 games, six have been friendlies and two were dead-rubber qualifiers, while three came at the Euros.

Three of those friendlies took place against England, France and the Netherlands. Wins in those games would have been nice, but also wouldn't have been held under the same microscope with which these defeats are now examined.

• Stephen McGinn was speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, which you can listen to here on BBC Sounds.

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Hibs forward Kieron Bowie has called on Scotland Under-21s to be ruthless against Malta on Tuesday to get their Euro 2025 qualification bid back on track.

The Scots appear to be in a battle with Belgium and Hungary for second place in Group B after their 2-1 defeat at home to Spain left them six points adrift of the group leaders.

The three best runners-up qualify automatically for next year's finals in Slovakia, with the others going into a play-off.

Bowie said: "We played Malta in October last year and we won 2-1 and it was sort of the last 10 minutes we scored.

"So we know they're not just going to roll over and let us batter them.

"But the last time we had quite a lot of chances and the game should have been put to bed a lot earlier, so hopefully we can go into this game with a different mindset and come away with the three points.

"We're in a good position. I think all the lads in the dressing room definitely know we have a chance of qualifying. We just need to win these next three games to hopefully qualify."

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James McFadden is optimistic about Scotland's future despite their winless run.

Steve Clarke's side have lost their opening two Nations League matches to Poland and Portugal - continuing a poor run of form stretching back to before the Euros.

However, McFadden thinks there's lots to be positive about, and is hopeful about the options at Clarke's disposal moving forwards.

"We have different types of players who can come on now; before substitutions were like-for-like," the former Scotland forward told Sportsound.

"We have different options. Tommy Conway looked bright, he certainly understands how to play that role.

"Ben Doak, Lewis Morgan and Ryan Gauld, we know they've got speed.

"We've got Kieran Tierney to add to that. Lewis Ferguson and Aaron Hickey - if he can get over the horrific run of injuries he's had - and Nathan Patterson too.

"The players who have came in have vindicated the manager's decision and there is positivity to take.

"But we do have to start winning games. I'd take an ugly win."

Scotland fans, we asked for your thoughts after Portugal's late goal made it two defeats from two for Steve Clarke's side in the Nations League.

Here's what some of you had to say:

George: Encouraging performance but we really need to ditch players who aren't suitable at this level such as Grant Hanley, Angus Gunn and Lyndon Dykes. Starting 11 was much the same as it has been for a while, time to give Ben Doak a start if we are truly moving on.

John: Yet another disappointing night despite the efforts of the team. Steve Clarke could have made substitutions earlier when legs and bodies were tired. Yet again he dithered until it was too late. What other manager would still be in a job after one win fourteen games? If we are to reach the next stage of this competition, or the next World Cup, then we must change now.

Allan: Let's be honest, not many sides in the world will come out of Lisbon against Portugal with a point. Scotland battled hard and kept in the game until the 87th minute and caused Portugal a few headaches. This is not the time to criticise the manager or the team.

David: We played well considering they have one of the best and deepest squads in the world, full of superstars. We just need a defence. I think Clarke should work on searching high and low for some more defenders who have Scottish grandparents. Our midfield is stacked, our attacking options are fine, we just need centre backs that can play out from the back with composure and not be shaking with nerves like ours are. We need the calmness of a Billy Gilmour at centre back, just a bit taller and two stone heavier.

David B: John McGinn was ineffective and too slow as was Anthony Ralston who allowed the cross for Cristiano Ronaldo’s winning goal. McGinn should have been subbed after the equaliser if not earlier. Been a huge fan of McGinn at Aston Villa for three or four years but now looks slow and so many plays ended with him.

Johnny: Scotland have never thrived under defensive coaches. Clarke has no concept of flair or guile. His tactics are simple, predictable and easily countered by average opposition or better. His team selections, in many cases, are head scratching.

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Scott McTominay’s influence on the Scotland team has become even more apparent, but could the midfielder’s move to Napoli propel him to new heights on the international stage?

The 27-year-old has 10 goals in his last 17 international appearances and his bullet header gave Scotland a shock lead against Portugal in Lisbon on Sunday before the hosts struck back to win the Nations League Group A1 group game 2-1.

In addition to his goal, he led several counter-attacks with his powerful running while also throwing his weight around at the back.

A View from the Terrace’s Craig Telfer said on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast: "He is such a massive player for Scotland.

“I really hope that if he's playing regularly at Napoli in a position that really suits him - this sort of more advanced role - then we can ultimately reap the benefits from that.

"It must be like trying to man-mark a racehorse when he gets up to speed and he's carrying the ball forward. Just a really good individual performance and a really good goal."

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Willie Miller thinks Steve Clarke is "pointing the way" for World Cup qualification.

Scotland started their Nations League campaign with defeats to Poland and Portugal, conceding late goals that condemned his side to two losses.

"On the night I think Scotland showed a lot of quality that Steve Clarke will be more than happy with," the former Aberdeen striker told BBC Scotland's Sportsound.

"We know he won't be happy with the result but from the last two games he can be pleased with how they've performed as a team against top quality opposition.

"The goal was well worked and magnificently taken by a player who's been growing in stature with every game and carries a goal threat.

"Clarke is definitely on the right track, he's pointing the way towards World Cup qualification."

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• Scotland are now without a victory in their last eight competitive fixtures across all competitions (losing five of them) - the longest such winless run in their history.

• Scotland have conceded in the 85th minute or later in five of their last six matches across all competitions.

• Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay has now scored 11 goals for Scotland, with all 11 coming in competitive fixtures. Only Robert Hamilton (15/15), Robert McColl (13/13) and Andy Wilson (13/13) have scored more for Scotland with 100% of them coming in competitive fixtures.

• Portugal had 16 shots in the first half, last attempting more in the opening 45 minutes of a match in March 2021 – 17 shots versus Azerbaijan. It is also the most Scotland have faced in the first half of a match since October 2012 (16 versus Belgium).

• In midfielders Bruno Fernandes (6) and Bernardo Silva (5), Portugal had two players create five or more chances each in the same game in all competitions for the first time since September 2020 against Croatia, when the same duo did so (Fernandes 6, Silva 5).

• Since Roberto Martinez’s first match in charge of Portugal (March 2023), Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 21 goals (11 goals, 10 assists) in 20 appearances, four more than any other player for the Selecao.

• Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored in consecutive Nations League matches for the first time after 13 appearances in the competition.

• It was Andy Robertson’s 76th appearance for Scotland, taking the Liverpool left-back into joint-fifth on the Scotland all-time appearance list – level with Paul McStay.

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Scotland midfielder John McGinn believes the latest international camp was beneficial, despite two defeats that extend a dismal run of results.

Steve Clarke’s side started their Nations League Group A1 campaign with losses to Poland and Portugal and have now won just one of their last 14 games - 2-0 against minnows Gibraltar in June.

Performances improved from the summer’s disappointing Euros, with the likes of attacking midfielders Ryan Gauld and Ben Doak given their debuts, and McGinn says, if Scotland continue to show the same "desire and commitment", much-needed wins will follow.

"A sickener at the end, but much more like us in terms of performance, desire, commitment," the Aston Villa midfielder said after Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal earned Portugal a 2-1 win in Lisbon.

"The supporters wanted a reaction from the summer. I'm sure they'll be proud of us tonight, even though it's another defeat.

"We’re not proud of the run we're on, but performances like tonight will get us there in the end.

"We've learned a lot over these two games. This camp was about getting back together, trying to build something a bit fresh. I know the starting XI wasn't as fresh as people thought, but these boys are getting experience."

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Bruno Fernandes says tough opponents Scotland ensured he did not have a "perfect" 30th birthday despite his equaliser helping Portugal come from behind to win 2-1 in Sunday's Nations League Group A1 game in Lisbon.

Former Manchester United team-mate Scott McTominay had given the visitors an early lead, but Fernandes' long-range drive deceived goalkeeper Angus Gunn before veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo slotted a late winner.

"Not perfect - I would have preferred it to be less difficult," United midfielder Fernandes told the Portugal FA website. "But it's always gratifying to score for the national team.

"On your birthday, you win and you can celebrate how good our people are."

Head coach Roberto Martinez also had praise for Steve Clarke's side.

"We had a difficult match - it was quite a challenge," he said. "Scotland are physical, strong, they attack very fast.

"It is very important for us to win a very difficult game, because we were 1-0 down against a Scotland side who have a very high intensity."

Martinez explained that Ronaldo had started on the bench despite his 900th career goal in Thursday's 2-1 win over Croatia because, at 39, the Al Nassr striker was unable to play two full games so close together.

However, he said: "Cristiano is in a very good moment. It is September, he has played three games for the club. The important thing is that we need to protect all the players.

"I liked his commitment. He is an incredible player."

Paris St-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes, who also came on as a substitute to assist a Ronaldo goal for the second game running, said: "It was a tough game.

"We are a team that likes to have the ball and control the game, but that wasn't possible and we ended up getting a bit involved in Scotland's game - they were looking to counterattack.

"But it was a good game for us and it was a deserved victory."

Meanwhile, Liverpool winger Diogo Jota praised Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, pointing out that "we had a lot of chances", and added that it was vital that Portugal started with two home wins.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, the 21-year-old who was capped by Scotland from under-16 through to under-21 level but withdrew from the senior squad after his first call-up last year, has made a final decision to play for England, the land of his birth. (The Scotsman), external

Calvin Ramsay, now on loan to Wigan Athletic, says a pep talk from former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp helped him take a long-term view of his recovery from back and knee injuries that have disrupted the 21-year-old Scot's progress following his £4.5m transfer from Aberdeen. (Daily Record), external

Norwich City goalkeeper Angus Gunn has admitted he should have done better at the Bruno Fernandes goal he conceded in Scotland's 2-1 defeat by Portugal in Lisbon on Sunday. (The National), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "Obviously disappointed to lose the game where it looked for a long period of time that we'd get something from the game. Really disappointed for my players, the effort and the quality they put in deserved to get something.

"I reiterated to the players that we have to understand what part of the cycle we're in, what we're trying to do. We're trying to re-adjust after the summer, we can use these matches to try and build. The end goal is to qualify for a tournament. It would be nice to get some points, not to conceded late goals, but this is the level we're at because we have been a good team. The players understand how difficult it is to get results at this level.

"There's been a lot of positives, if you ignore the results. But we're professionals, so it's disappointing that we played very well in two games and have nothing to show for it. It's a level where the lessons are harsh. I spoke to the players in the dressing room and told them not to be too harsh on themselves.

"They have to understand the work we're doing. If you look at the time we had to work. We've changed the system a little for these two matches and I think you see the players have done good work. That's why I'm so disappointed for them, because they've put so much into these two games."

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Yet another goal for Scott McTominay on international duty.

The towering midfielder has now grabbed 10 goals in his last 13 competitive appearances for Scotland, with his latest being a terrific back-post header to send the Scots in front in Lisbon.

While the hosts eventually turned the game on its head, McTominay remained an energetic presence in midfield - continually dealing with Portuguese intrusions into the Scotland box and often carrying the ball forward well in attack.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s late Nations League winner broke Scotland hearts in Portugal and ensured Steve Clarke's side's dreadful run of form continued.

The defeat - after losing to Poland on Thursday - means Scotland are now without a win in their last eight competitive games, the worst run in their history, and have won just one of the last 14 games.

However, Clarke can take some encouragement from the nature of the performances in the two games in this window, even if they are bottom of their section after Croatia beat Poland 1-0.

What did you make of the performance? Let us know your thoughts., external

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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From the outset, Scotland were up against it.

Penned back on the edge of their own box, they were forced into playing a back-six at times as Bernardo Silva and Fernandes tried to pick holes in the defence.

The Scots stood strong in that low block, though. Bodies were thrown on the line, but extreme caution was used when tackling after two penalties were conceded on Thursday against Poland.

One problem was ball retention. When Scotland did win the ball, they rarely kept it for very long and struggled to hit either McTominay or Lyndon Dykes.

Occasionally though, they were able to string a passing move together and get it up the pitch.

Another issue for Clarke is the nagging, inevitable feeling that they will eventually concede.

That's now 33 goals shipped in 14 games. In the last six, they have been breached after the 85th minute on five occasions. There is a fragility that needs addressed.

There's also the small matter of this winless run. They are now without a victory in their last eight competitive fixtures, the longest such run in their history.

With four tough fixtures to come in the Nations League - Croatia home and away, plus Portugal at Hampden and a trip to Poland - it doesn't look like ending soon.

As for Ronaldo, what can you say? Maligned after a poor Euros, he was influential here.

He has now scored against 48 different countries, and stretched his lead at the top of the all-time international goalscorer chart in men's football.

Surely no one will catch him.

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Portugal: Costa, Semedo, Dias, A Silva, Mendes, Fernandes, Palhinha, B Silva, Neto, Leao, Jota.

Substitutes: Sa, R Silva, Dalot, Ronaldo, Goncalves, Felix, Veiga, Santos, J Neves, Trincao, R Neves, Quenda.

Scotland: Gunn, Ralston, Hanley, McKenna, Robertson, Gilmour, McLean, Christie, McTominay, McGinn, Dykes.

Substitutes: McCracken, Clark, Shankland, Doig, Barron, Porteous, Souttar, Doak, Morgan, Conway, Gauld, Johnston.

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BBC Scotland's Jane Lewis in Lisbon, Portugal

Ryan Christie believes Scotland will "have to be at our very best across the full park" against Portugal on Sunday evening.

The Scots play their second Nations League A Group 1 fixture in Lisbon, having lost 3-2 at home to Poland on Thursday. The Portuguese defeated Croatia in their opening game.

"We’ll probably have to be at our very best across the full park, all 11 players, we obviously know it's going to take 90 minutes of pure concentration across the pitch," said midfielder Christie, 29.

"We know how good a team they are, especially offensively, so we have to be at our best. Hopefully, we can cause any problems going the other way.

"Winning the last tournament shows how good we can be on our night. So we need to take that confidence in."

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says his side "have to move on and be focused" following their loss to Poland, with Portugal up next on Sunday.

Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie believes "90 minutes of pure concentration" will be required in Sunday's meeting with Portugal.