Ex-Prem boss slams ‘horrible’ Scotland whose soccer would ’embarrass Pele’

On Jun 20, 2024

Scotland secured an important point in their quest to reach the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

But not everyone was impressed with the way Steve Clarke’s men went about holding a Xherdan Shaqiri-inspired Swiss side to a draw in Cologne. The Tartan Army no doubt found every second of the nail-biting contest a tense and gripping affair, especially after being hammered 5-1 by Germany in their opening game.

Yet Argentina legend and former Tottenham manager Ossie Ardiles, 71, was not glued to his seat watching at home on TV – and took to social media to blast the performance. And the World Cup winner launched a bizarre rant in which he claimed the late Brazil legend Pele would have been offended by what unfolded in Group A.

Slating the punditry and commentary teams on BBC to boot, the ex-Newcastle boss moaned: “Scotland vs Switzerland. What a terrible terrible game it was. How can two teams play so bad? No idea going forward.

“Pele, immortals words: Football is the beautiful game… You must be joking. What an embarrassment. The comments in TV, if anything, even worse!”

What did you think of Ossie Ardiles’ comments? Let us know in the comments section below

Ex Tottenham Hotspur player and manager Osvaldo Ardiles
(Image: GETTY)

Scott McTominay opened the scoring after just 13 minutes when the Manchester United man’s shot deflected in off Newcastle defender Fabian Schar. However, after another 13 minutes passed a defensive cock-up by Scotland saw former Liverpool winger Shaqiri hit a wonderstrike into the top corner to make it 1-1.

Both teams pushed for the winner, the Scots hitting the woodwork and Switzerland having a goal ruled offside in the second half. Yet that seemingly wasn’t enough drama to keep former midfielder Ardiles entertained.

But then he was famous for playing five forwards during his time in charge at White Hart Lane. A bold tactic that saw him lead Spurs to – checks notes – 15th in the Premiership.

Ardiles was sacked just months into the following season with the Lilywhites in the bottom half of the table, despite fielding an attack that boasted Jurgen Klinsmann, Teddy Sheringham, Ilie Dumitrescu, Darren Anderton and Nick Barmby.

One fan replied to his comment: “Disappointed in you Ossie, not every team is blessed with a Maradona, Cruyff or Pele. Each team tried the best they could with the talents they possessed, they both attacked and neither sat back and played dull, defensive football for the draw.”