Scotland Munich massacre rooted in Celtic Euro failure as Hotline fears Swiss rollover to compound misery

'No Scotland, No Party’ belted out the Tartan Army. Unfortunately there were no shots on target either as Steve Clarke’s side were battered in Bavaria.

The carnival atmosphere generated by the kilt-clad fans didn’t last long as Germany ran amok in the Euros opener. And the Negative Normans who rang in for today’s Hotline are holding out much hope that we can get the Euro 2024 ball rolling against the Swiss either. Neil Renton, Leith, was first in as the post-mortem got underway, saying: “Scotland should be embarrassed by their performance against Germany.

“There’s no denying they were up against quality and maybe we all got carried away but we expected more from Steve Clarke’s players. Like a shot would have been good! You can see us getting a bye into every major tournament from now on. Host countries love how many fans we bring while teams competing love taking points off us.”

Seething Scott McAdam, Partick, ranted: “That was the worst performance from any Scotland team at a major tournament. They said they’d create history. Well they did because no-one has had a spanking like that in an opening game.

“Clarke’s so-called plan was up in smoke after five minutes. If we don’t get a positive result against the Swiss it will be p45 time for Stevie.”

Scott Kerr, Glasgow, said: “You can see why we’re all feeling like Negative Normans. That performance was atrocious. No creativity, spark or ideas.” John Scott, Grassmoor, added: “Back in 1978 I watched Scotland march off to Argentina with pride and expectation.

“The debacle that followed left us all in a state of anger and frustration because the win against eventual finalists Netherlands clearly showed what that team was capable of. If today’s team doesn't take at least a point off the Swiss, there will be no hiding place and like 1978, it will be well justified.”

The first alarm bell in Munich sounded even before a ball had been kicked as the team sheets revealed Billy Gilmour had been left out. And three days on, the punters still can’t get their head around Clarke’s call. Fraser Davison, Glasgow, said: “Hard to fathom the tactics on the night, and an even harder watch. Gilmour wasted on the bench, players appeared panicked with the basics beyond them – too many looked like rabbits in headlights.

“I’m not saying Ryan Porteous caused the result but he was a liability at Hibs and still is. Scotland could have had a couple of extra players on the park and still lost. Onwards and upwards now and hoping for better from the boys.”

Tim Gibbens said: “Never mind a warm bratwurst – without Billy Gilmour’s steadying influence, Scotland’s midfield handled the ball like a hot potato!”

Gerard Milligan, Renfrewshire, emailed in: “That’s the only game I've ever seen when NOBODY got near a pass mark. The shape was all wrong. Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney cannot play in the same team. John McGinn and Scott McTominay were ineffective, and worse, there appeared to be no game plan at all.”

Kevin Kean, Inchinnan, added: “We need to stop picking so many of these players. Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie are finished. What could Kenny McLean or Gilmour achieve coming on three goals down? A 4-3-3 formation is the way forward, with a front three of James Forrest, Lawrence Shankland and Lewis Morgan with John McGinn and Scott McTominay backing them up.”

Iain Kennedy, Dunoon, said: “I like Clarke but he made a huge error leaving by far and away our best keeper at home in Craig Gordon. The bang average Angus Gunn should have been hauled off at half-time against Germany but it would have destroyed him … like he destroyed the fans’ hopes with an atrocious display between the sticks.

“Clarke simply must drop Gunn and a hugely out-of-form McGinn, go to a four-man backline and leave Christie and Che Adams on the bench. I’d bring in Gilmour, Forrest, Morgan and Shankland before it's too late.

“Finally although a very good player, Andy Robertson is never a leader of men. It simply must be CalMac if we want any proper organisation on the park.” But Alan Flett said: “The Tartan Army got what they deserved against Germany. A large dose of reality!

“And what about the great Callum McGregor? Once again he was totally outclassed and way out of his depth at the top level. And he’s Celtic’s best player? Laughable!”

Robbie Wood said: “So there were five current or former Celtic players in Friday’s starting line-up. Does Clarke know that Celtic are useless in Europe?”

But hitting back, Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “The pathetic pointing of the finger at Callum McGregor by Graeme Souness and the Rangers fans is pathetic. He was no worse than any other player and it is just a result of Celtic’s total domination of the Ibrox club that has brought this childish jealous rage out of them as usual.”