PLAYER RATINGS: Robertson was Scotland's best player by a distance

PLAYER RATINGS: Andy Robertson was Scotland’s best player by a distance but Stephen O’Donnell struggled in defeat by Czech Republic at Euro 2020

  • Andy Robertson was Scotland’s standout performer against Czech Republic
  • Stephen O’Donnell struggled, while Ryan Christie was taken off at half time
  • Czech Republic won 2-0, with Patrik Schick scoring both of his team’s goals
  • Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here.

Scotland’s first game at a major tournament since 1998 ended in defeat as they were beaten 2-0 by Czech Republic at Hampden Park.

Patrik Schick scored twice, including an impressive strike from the halfway line, to secure victory for Czech Republic.

Sportsmail’s MARK WILSON assesses how Scotland’s players fared, while BRIAN MAJORIBANKS runs the rule over the Czech side.

Andy Robertson was the standout performer as Scotland were beaten by Czech Republic

SCOTLAND (3-5-2)

DAVID MARSHALL – 6

Desperate, forlorn retreat when beaten by Schick’s 50-yard wonder strike. A few decent saves either side of the same player’s headed opener.

Scotland’s David Marshall was beaten by Schick’s wonder strike but made some good saves

JACK HENDRY – 5.5

Whipped a shot against the bar as Scotland sought an equaliser. But another, blocked attempt led to Czech break and Schick’s stunning second goal. 

GRANT HANLEY – 6.5

Threw himself into every challenge going and won his fair share. One of two outjumped by Schick for opener but decent display.

LIAM COOPER – 6

Started solidly enough as the left-sided centre back in the absence of Tierney. Found Czech movement tough at times and was beaten by Schick in the air.

STEPHEN O’DONNELL – 5.0

Clumsy touch needlessly conceded a throw-in at the start, setting the tone for an often uncertain performance. Made way for Forrest late on.

Stephen O’Donnell endured a difficult afternoon as Scotland were beaten by Czech Republic

JOHN McGINN – 6

So often Scotland’s talisman, he saw an early effort blocked. Attempts to barrel his way forward were often halted by the powerful Czechs.

SCOTT McTOMINAY – 6

Manchester United man was asked to be the main midfield pivot, yet never managed to exert real control amid a fractured team display.

Scott McTominay was unable to exert real control as Scotland produced a fractured display

STUART ARMSTRONG – 6

Selected ahead of McGregor or Gilmour as the third central midfielder and tried to add some drive. Deflected drive looped onto roof of net.

ANDY ROBERTSON – 7.0 

Captain was Scotland’s best player by a distance and tried to lead the fight. But needed more accuracy with first half strike tipped over the bar by Vaclik. 

RYAN CHRISTIE – 5.5

Celtic man sought to provide a couple of creative flickers in opening period and set up Robertson’s near-thing. Replaced by Adams at the interval.

Ryan Christie was substituted at half time having been unable to make a major impact in attack

LYNDON DYKES – 6

Twice denied by Vaclik during the second half. Favoured ahead of Adams but didn’t get too much out of Celustka or Kalas in aerial duels.

Substitutes: CHE ADAMS (Christie 46). CALLUM McGREGOR (Hendry 67). RYAN FRASER (Armstrong 67). JAMES FORREST (O’Donnell 78). KEVIN NISBET (Dykes 78).

Not used: Gordon, McLaughlin, Taylor, Turnbull, Patterson, Gilmour, McKenna.

Manager: STEVE CLARKE – 5.5

Team selection prioritised power over finesse, with the absence of Adams especially puzzling. Felt like an opportunity missed after such a long wait.

CZECH REPUBLIC: (4-2-3-1)

TOMAS VACLIK – 8

Keeper made three fabulous saves from Robertson and Dykes while also preventing Tomas Kalas scoring an own goal.

VLADIMIR COUFAL – 8

Familiar sight for West Ham fans as impressive right back floated in a wonderful cross for Schick’s first goal.

Vladimir Coufal (left) was impressive at right back and was the architect for the first goal 

ONDREJ CELUSTKA – 7 

Sparta Prague defender coped well with the physical threat of Scotland striker Dykes.

TOMAS KALAS – 7

A steady shift but Bristol City centre half had keeper Vaclik to thank for stopping him putting through his own net.

JAN BORIL –  6

Slavia Prague left back had one nervy moment after halting a run by Scott McTominay but VAR ruled no penalty.

TOMAS SOUCEK – 8

Influential West Ham star contributed an assist for Schick’s second when Hendry’s shot from edge of the box rebounded off him.

Having excelled for West Ham, Tomas Soucek caught the eye here and provided an assist

ALEX KRAL – 7

David Luiz lookalike, linked with a move to West Ham, was energetic, aggressive and impressive in midfield.

LUKAS MASOPUST – 6

More joy in Glasgow for a Slavia Prague attacker, whose club side knocked Rangers out of Europa League this season.

VLADIMIR DARIDA – 6

Hertha Berlin midfielder captained Czechs and forced Marshall into one fine save with blistering low drive.

JAKUB JANKTO – 6

Sampdoria midfielder with bleached-blond Gazza look was a danger down the left hand side.

PATRIK SCHICK – 9

Bayer Leverkusen star scored wonderful header then a world-class second from the halfway line for goal of tournament so far.

Patrik Schick scored twice for Czech Republic, which included a world-class second goal

Substitutes: TOMAS HOLES (for Kral 67), JAKUB HLOZEK (for Jankto 72), MATEJ VYDRA (for Masopust 72), PETR SEVCIK (for Darida 87), MICHAEL KREMNICKI (for Schick 87).  

Not used: Mandous, Kaderabek, Brabec, Barak, Zima, Pekhart.

Manager: JAROSLAV SILHAVY – 8

His Czechs conceded the first goal in each of their last four Euros but now have one foot in the knockouts. 




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