Steve Clarke expressed disappointment regarding Scotland’s failure to receive at least one penalty during their 1-0 loss to Morocco. Both John McGinn and Scott McTominay fervently sought spot kicks after being challenged by Moroccan defenders. McGinn later remarked that Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui “Everyone when I did my television interviews was talking about the Scott McTominay one,”
While Clarke refrained from criticizing the officials, he suggested that the calls were contentious, implying that Morocco’s Issa Diop could have faced a red card early in the match. The decisive goal came just 70 seconds into the game, although Scotland showed determination in the second half.
“I was a little bit 50/50 as well on the Ché Adams [challenge], last man,” Clarke stated. “He had a chance to go through one on one with the goalkeeper and is brought down. The referee chooses yellow. There is nothing we can do about it.”
Clarke also shared his thoughts on Diop’s challenge on Scotland’s Ché Adams, who was fouled. He commented, “Sometimes that goes for you. If we got a couple of those penalty decisions for us, I don’t think VAR intervenes. Out the corner of my eye, I could see [the Morocco defender] charging in. I got first contact to the ball and he took me out. It’s a penalty kick for me. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. If it was given on the field, no chance it’s overturned. “Morocco have got away with one there. But we need to be better and create chances from open play, not rely on referee’s decisions.”
Reflecting on his own claim for a penalty, McGinn stated, “I am proud of the players but obviously we are all devastated,”
“The players will suffer a bit over the next 48 hours. They don’t like losing against anybody. “Right throughout the team, Morocco had a bit of class. But we gave it a good go. Morocco know they have been in a game tonight. We have shown we can compete at this level.” he added.
Looking ahead, Scotland is set to face Brazil in Miami on Wednesday, a match that will determine their chances of advancing from the group stage for the first time in history.
“I am proud of the players but obviously we are all devastated,” Clarke remarked. “The players will suffer a bit over the next 48 hours. They don’t like losing against anybody.”
“Right throughout the team, Morocco had a bit of class. But we gave it a good go. Morocco know they have been in a game tonight. We have shown we can compete at this level.”
Clarke, who praised Lewis Ferguson for a second consecutive match, alleviated concerns regarding a second-half injury to Kieran Tierney, stating that Tierney only experienced cramp before being substituted for Ben Gannon-Doak.
