Scotland’s big Euros dress rehearsal against Finland offered up shot-at-the-big-time auditions to the likes of Anthony Ralston and Lawrence Shankland, but it was a more seasoned performer who showed just why he is emerging as the principal actor in Steve Clarke’s cast.
He was always available, ready to take the ball whether he was in yards of space to conduct proceedings, or to take the pressure off a teammate who was in a hole. He was all close control, deft flicks and feints, with complete mastery of the ball and an unerring eye for a pass. And it seems, he has come of age going into these European Championships. It is a thrilling prospect to see how he measures up going toe-to-toe with Toni Kroos and co. next week. One thing’s for sure, he won’t be daunted by the prospect.
A more pressing concern given Scotland’s bluntness in attack over the last few friendly outings is how Shankland performed up front, and in the first half, it looked as though his big moment may have been passing him by. Robertson had already got in well down the left to centre for Hoskonen to slice into his own net, when theHe swung a ball towards him, and Shankland showed good strength and a clever feint to get away from his man and bury a header beyond Jesse Joronen.
It looks as though Gordon is going to be one of the unlucky men left behind when the team departs Glasgow this Sunday, and the reception he received from the crowd was an acknowledgment of both that, and what an exceptional servant he has been for Scotland down the years.First, Grant Hanley was caught ball-watching to allow Robin Lod to nod home, before Gordon came out to contest a cross with Tomas Galves.