PLAYER RATINGS: Who stood out in Scotland’s draw with Switzerland?
- Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages are still alive after their draw
- Scott McTominay’s effort was cancelled out by a Xherdan Shaqiri stunner
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Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2024 are still alive after they secured a 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Wednesday.
Steve Clarke’s men took the lead in the first half after Scott McTominay‘s shot took a wicked deflection past Yann Sommer into the Swiss net.
Xherdan Shaqiri responded soon after in emphatic fashion, capitalising on Anthony Ralston’s wayward back-pass before rifling a shot into the top left corner of Scotland’s net.
Scotland went on to hit the post before the Swiss had a goal ruled out for offside to see the shares spoiled in Group A.
Our man AADAM PATEL run the rule over both sets of players in Cologne.
Scotland’s hopes of making the knockout stages are still alive after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland
SCOTLAND (3-4-1-2)
Angus Gunn – 6
Undone by Shaqiri’s strike but did well to make some crucial saves from Ndoye. Was all over the place for Ndoye’s disallowed goal but a solid display that will do his confidence a world of good.
Anthony Ralston – 5
A careless backpass which led to Shaqiri’s goal. Simply cannot make mistakes like that. Switzerland were all over him but fair play to the 25-year-old for a much improved second-half.
Jack Hendry – 6
Part of a back three that started with a high line. Had a shaky start with a dodgy backpass that went out for a corner but improved on the night.
Grant Hanley – 6
One of two Scotland changes to the starting eleven. At 32, Scotland’s oldest outfield starter at the Euros since Ally McCoist in 1996 and so unlucky not to score when his header hit the post. Solid shift.
Kieran Tierney – 6
More touches (40) than anyone else in the first half but fortunate that Ndoye missed a sitter after turning him in the second-half. Had to come off with what looks like a tournament-ending hamstring injury. Looked distraught.
Andy Robertson – 7
Influential for the goal, driving up the pitch before picking out McGregor. Lovely delivery too for Hanley’s header that hit the post but otherwise, his setpiece delivery was hit and miss. Energetic shift, as ever.
Andy Robertson put in a energetic shift as ever and was influential for the goal
It was despair for Kieran Tierney who suffered what looks like a tournament-ending injury
Scott McTominay – 7
The man for the big moments. A bit of luck for the goal but not that he or Scotland would care at all. Brilliant display all-round and could have been capped off with what looked like a goalbound strike that was blocked.
Billy Gilmour – 7.5
Came in after starting on the bench against Germany and was Scotland’s best player. Great composure in the build-up for the goal and was constantly involved whenever Scotland had possession. Made a difference.
Callum McGregor – 6
Did well to tee up Scott McTominay for the goal after initially looking like he’d lost his balance. Scotland were much stronger down his flank.
Billy Gilmour showed great composure in the build-up for the goal and was constantly involved
John McGinn – 6
So much better than Friday night. Regularly used his body well to keep possession. Got a deserved booking for a proper foul on Fabian Schar.
Che Adams – 5
Rarely got the ball in the first half, with just 11 touches but came close on the brink of half-time when his volley from a corner was straight at Sommer. Similarly quiet second half.
SUBS
Scott McKenna – 6
Replaced Tierney on the hour mark and did what was asked of him. Would expect him to now have a crucial part to play on Sunday against Hungary.
Kenny McLean – 6
Came on for Billy Gilmour in the 79th minute and did well.
Manager: Steve Clarke – 7
After a tough few days following the mauling in Munich, he will take so much pride from this performance. A display that was a world apart in every single department.
SWITZERLAND (3-4-2-1)
Yann Sommer – 6
Could do nothing to stop the Scotland goal after the deflection off Schar. Made a big save on the brink of half-time to deny Che Adams.
Fabian Schar – 5
Unfortunate for the goal but perhaps could have had a stronger connection. More touches (69) than any other Swiss player on the night but beaten in the air by Hanley for Scotland’s best chance of winning the game.
Manuel Akanji – 7
Solid, as ever. Strong in possession and out of possession and regularly pushed up the pitch. Made a crucial clearance late on to stop Scotland grabbing a winner.
Manuel Akanji was strong in and out of possession and regularly pushed up the pitch
Ricardo Rodriguez – 6
Booked in the first-half for a late challenge on Gilmour but composed on the ball, like Schar and Akanji in a Swiss back-three. Solid display.
Silvan Widmer – 6
Had his work cut out down the right flank against Scotland’s much preferred left side. Battled well all evening before he was replaced by Leonidas Stergiou late on.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Crucial to Switzerland’s tempo, as expected but didn’t have the kind of impact on the game like he did against Hungary. Scotland can take confidence from that.
Remo Freuler – 6
Grew in confidence as the game progressed but struggled to keep up with the intensity of a much-improved Scotland press. Replaced in the second-half for Vincent Sierro.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 7.5
Initially an interesting inclusion, replacing Kwadwo Duah, but there is no doubt about his class. What a hit for Switzerland’s equaliser. Became the first Swiss player to appear in seven major tournaments, before he was replaced on the hour mark for Breel Embolo.
Xherdan Shaqiri (right) scored a wondergoal to level the scores for Switzerland
The Swiss forward placed a curling effort into the very top corner of Scotland’s net
Michel Aebischer – 6
Star of their first game against Hungary and looked comfortable in possession without ever threatening to do anything special.
Ruben Vargas – 6
Always looked like a threat in the final third but the closest he came to scoring was with a strike that was straight at Gunn. Substituted in the 75th minute for Fabian Rieder.
Dan Ndoye – 7
Caused trouble for the Scotland defence, regularly offering a threat and was denied by two brilliant saves from Gunn. Unlucky not to get a goal after an incredibly tight offside call.
SUBS
Breel Embolo – 6
Came on for Shaqiri on the hour mark and looked deadly. Ice-cool finish which he thought gave Switzerland the three points but he was offside.
Vincent Sierro – 5
Came on for Remo Freuler in the 75th minute.
Fabian Reider – 5
Came on for Ruben Vargas in the 75th minute.
Leonidas Stergiou – 5
Came on for Silvan Widmer in the 86th minute.
Zeki Amdouni – 5
Came on for Dan Ndoye in the 86th minute. Missed a sitter.
Manager: Murat Yakin – 6
Came out well before kick-off to gee the Switzerland fans up, knowing that a win would secure qualification. After a shaky start, his side improved and he will happily take the point that puts the Swiss in a great position to qualify.
Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia) – 6
