Sunday, December 22, 2024

PLAYER RATINGS: Man United man fails to make his mark as Liverpool star collects man of the match… and which Scotland midfielder had to be quicker?

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Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign came to an end on Sunday night after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Hungary in their final Group stage clash. 

It was a bitter ending for Steve Clarke’s side, who had mounted a late attack on Hungary, but agonisingly conceded in the dying embers of the match. 

Hungary would quickly counter on the Scots, with Roland Sallai breaking free before finding Kevin Csoboth, who slotted home the winner in the 10th minute of injury time. 

While there was elation for Hungary at full-time, Scotland sank to their haunches, as their wait to reach the knockouts at a European Championship goes on. 

Mail Sport’s Aadam Patel provides his player ratings from what was an agonising night at the MHPArena for Scotland.  

Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign came to an agonising end on Sunday night after they were beaten by Hungary

After Scotland had pressed for a winning goal late on, Hungary countered on the Scots with Kevin Csoboth  (centre) striking in a late winner

After Scotland had pressed for a winning goal late on, Hungary countered on the Scots with Kevin Csoboth  (centre) striking in a late winner

The result means Scotland will finish at the bottom of Group A, with Hungary overtaking them to go third

The result means Scotland will finish at the bottom of Group A, with Hungary overtaking them to go third 

SCOTLAND (3-4-1-2)

Angus Gunn (6)

Made some important saves and after struggling in Munich against Germany, finished with two good performances against both Switzerland and Hungary.

Jack Hendry (6)

Battled well in Scotland’s back three and didn’t do much wrong at all. Can take confidence from some impressive performances at the tournament.

Grant Hanley (6)

Solid, as ever and led the back line with 60 touches in the first half – more than anyone else. Can’t fault his defensive efforts but ultimately, Scotland’s attack didn’t have enough. Nearly scored late on, playing as a striker but it wasn’t to be.

Angus Gunn (pictured) enjoyed a good performance producing some excellent saves

Angus Gunn (pictured) enjoyed a good performance producing some excellent saves 

Jack Hendry (left) battled well in Scotland’s back three and didn’t do much wrong at all

Jack Hendry (left) battled well in Scotland’s back three and didn’t do much wrong at all

Scott McKenna (pictured) replaced Kieran Tierney and proved an able deputy off the left side of the back three

Scott McKenna (pictured) replaced Kieran Tierney and proved an able deputy off the left side of the back three

Scott McKenna (6)

Came in for the injured Kieran Tierney and proved an able deputy on the left side of the back three, regularly involved both in and out of possession.

Anthony Ralston (6)

Got some stick after the Switzerland game but he put in a good shift here despite Hungary targeting his side. Didn’t offer much going forward and was taken off late on as Scotland chased a winner.

Billy Gilmour (6)

Constantly asked for the ball and was solid in possession but was perhaps guilty of playing too safe at times, when Scotland needed to risk more. Taken off late on as Scotland chased a winner.

Callum McGregor (5)

Pushed up a lot but slowed Scotland’s play down whenever he had possession. Had to be quicker with the ball. A disappointing performance.

Billy Gilmour (left) constantly asked for the ball and was solid in possession but was perhaps guilty of playing too safe at times

Billy Gilmour (left) constantly asked for the ball and was solid in possession but was perhaps guilty of playing too safe at times

Callum McGregor (left) pushed up a lot but slowed Scotland’s play down whenever he had possession

Callum McGregor (left) pushed up a lot but slowed Scotland’s play down whenever he had possession

Aston Villa star John McGinn (pictured) put a shift in but failed to stamp his authority on the game

Aston Villa star John McGinn (pictured) put a shift in but failed to stamp his authority on the game

Andy Robertson (6)

Quiet first half where he barely had a say and let himself down with some poor deliveries from setpieces. Better after the break but wasn’t enough. Replaced late on for Lewis Morgan.

John McGinn (6)

Put a shift in but failed to really stamp his authority on the game. Scotland needed a big performance from one of their key players and didn’t get it. Substituted for Stuart Armstrong.

Scott McTominay (5)

Another one who failed to make his mark, despite having that big game experience. Picked up a booking in the second-half which would have ruled him out of the next round and missed a sitter late on.

Che Adams (5)

Made some silly fouls in his own half, needlessly putting Scotland in danger. Struggled to make an impact up front but wasn’t helped by the lack of service. Replaced by Lawrence Shankland.

Scott McTominay (left) was another player who failed to make his mark on the game

Scott McTominay (left) was another player who failed to make his mark on the game

Che Adams (right) Struggled to make an impact up front but wasn’t helped by the lack of service. Replaced by Lawrence Shankland

Che Adams (right) Struggled to make an impact up front but wasn’t helped by the lack of service. Replaced by Lawrence Shankland

SUBS

Stuart Armstrong (6)

Came on for John McGinn in the 76th minute and instantly offered an outlet. Perhaps Unlucky not to get a penalty and should have been on earlier.

Lawrence Shankland (6)

Replaced Che Adams in the 76th minute and made a difference. Another one who should have been on earlier.

Ryan Christie (5)

Came on for Billy Gilmour in the 83rd minute

Kenny McLean (5)

Replaced Tony Ralston in the 83rd minute

Lewis Morgan (5)

A late replacement for Andy Robertson.

MANAGER

Steve Clarke (4)

This performance was far too timid from a Scotland side that knew they needed to win but never came close to scoring until the dying stages. His side went out with a whimper.

Steve Clarke (pictured) knew they needed to win but his side never came close to scoring until the dying stages of the match

Steve Clarke (pictured) knew they needed to win but his side never came close to scoring until the dying stages of the match

HUNGARY (3-4-2-1)

Peter Gulacsi (6)

Formerly of Liverpool. Unforgivably, Scotland didn’t test him until late on and in fairness, the Hungary keeper had a comfortable game.

Endre Botka (6)

One of two Hungary changes from their defeat to Germany. Did his job but wasn’t really threatened by a weak Scottish attack.

Willi Orban (6)

Booked for a late tackle on John McGinn. Missed a huge opportunity in the first-half when his header hit the crossbar but put in a solid defensive shift. Though was perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty late on for his challenge on Stuart Armstrong.

Peter Gulacsi (right) was not tested by Scotland and had a pretty comfortable game

Peter Gulacsi (right) was not tested by Scotland and had a pretty comfortable game 

Endre Botka (left) did his job well but wasn’t really threatened by a weak Scottish attack

Endre Botka (left) did his job well but wasn’t really threatened by a weak Scottish attack

Willi Orban (right) missed a huge opportunity in the first-half when his header hit the crossbar but put in a solid defensive shift

Willi Orban (right) missed a huge opportunity in the first-half when his header hit the crossbar but put in a solid defensive shift

Marton Dardai (6)

Headed over when he had a decent chance to break the deadlock. Substituted off for Attila Szalai in the 74th minute.

Bendeguz Bolla (6)

Tested Angus Gunn early on. Looked threatening down the right flank and had a good game, before he was replaced for the goalscorer Kevin Csoboth.

Callum Styles (6)

Bury-born midfielder who plays for Barnsley and qualifies for Hungary through his grandparents. Picked up an early booking for a bad tackle on John McGinn. Replaced on the hour mark in what was his first game at the Euros.

Andras Schafer (6)

Alongside Styles, formed a solid partnership in central midfield. Perhaps fortunate to only get a yellow card for what looked like a dangerous tackle on Jack Hendry in the first half.

Milos Kerkez (6)

Crucial as Hungary targeted Scotland’s right flank but was limited by his side’s decision to sit back and soak up pressure initially. Taken off in the 86th minute.

Marton Dardai (centre) headed over when he had a decent chance to break the deadlock

Marton Dardai (centre) headed over when he had a decent chance to break the deadlock

Bury-born midfielder Callum Styles (right) plays for Barnsley and qualifies for Hungary through his grandparents

Bury-born midfielder Callum Styles (right) plays for Barnsley and qualifies for Hungary through his grandparents 

There were worrying scenes when Barnabas Varga (left) was taken off on a stretcher in the second-half

There were worrying scenes when Barnabas Varga (left) was taken off on a stretcher in the second-half  

Dominik Szoboszlai (left) was Hungary’s most dangerous player but wasted some good openings

Dominik Szoboszlai (left) was Hungary’s most dangerous player but wasted some good openings

Roland Sallai (6)

Had a good chance to break the deadlock but hit it straight at Jack Hendry. Provided the crucial assist late on to break Scottish hearts.

Dominik Szoboszlai (7)

Clever free-kick, which Orban really should have scored from. Was Hungary’s most dangerous player but wasted some good opportunities.

Barnabas Varga (6)

Worrying scenes as he was taken off on a stretcher in the second-half after a nasty collision with Angus Gunn, which meant a lengthy delay. Thankfully conscious and stable in hospital.

SUBS 

Adam Nagy (5) – Came on for Styles on the hour mark. 

Attila Szalai (5) – Replaced Dardai in the 74th minute.

Martin Adam (5) – Came on for Varga in the 74th minute.

Kevin Csoboth (7) – The breaker of Scottish hearts. Hit the post minutes before the sucker punch.

Kevin Csoboth (left) broke Scottish hearts with his last-minute goal. He had hit the post minutes before too

Kevin Csoboth (left) broke Scottish hearts with his last-minute goal. He had hit the post minutes before too

Marco Rossi (right) pulled a masterclass with Hungary’s smash-and-grab performance

Marco Rossi (right) pulled a masterclass with Hungary’s smash-and-grab performance 

Facundo Tello (right) was not afraid to brandish the cards in the first half, booking three Hungary players

Facundo Tello (right) was not afraid to brandish the cards in the first half, booking three Hungary players

MANAGER

Marco Rossi (6)

With hindsight, pulled off a masterclass with Hungary’s smash-and-grab performance that somehow gives them a chance of sneaking into the round of 16. 

REFEREE:

Facundo Tello (Argentina) – 6

Not afraid to get the cards out in the first half, booking three Hungary players. Should he have awarded Scotland a penalty? It would have been harsh on Willi Orban but could easily have been given. 

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