SCOTLAND have qualified for a tournament for the first time in 22 years!
Steve Clarke’s side had the better of the full 90 minutes with Ryan Christie firing in off the post to put them in front.
But Luka Jovic looked like he may have broken Tartan Army hearts by heading home in stoppage time.
However the Scots manfully held out in extra time to force penalties and prevailed in another shootout as David Marshall saved from Aleksandar Mitrovic.
EURO 2020 GROUPS
Scotland will now go into D, alongside old rivals England, Croatia, and Czech Republic.
Group A
- Turkey
- Italy
- Wales
- Switzerland
Group B
- Denmark
- Finland
- Belgium
- Russia
Group C
- Holland
- Ukraine
- Austria
- North Macedonia
Group D
- England
- Croatia
- Scotland
- Czech Republic
Group E
- Spain
- Sweden
- Poland
- Slovakia
Group F
- Hungary
- Portugal
- France
- Germany
TASH HEAVEN
Scotland duo Oli McBurnie and Callum Paterson show an up, close and personal view of their moustaches.
The duo – taking part in Movember – were second half subs brought on to see the game out for Scotland.
McBurnie – who has suffered a heap of backlash in a dark blue jersey – stepped up during the shoot-out to score.
Yet to score for his country, he sure enjoyed his penalty and the relief was there for all to see.
FLOWING
The beers are rightly flowing in the away dressing room at the Red Star Stadium.
But it also appears the showers are starting to flow too.
Got to assume McLean is waiting to jump in the shower, and it isn’t his usual celebration attire….
LOOKING AHEAD
Now Scotland have booked their place, attention turns to next summer’s tournament where the Tartan Army will be present for the first time in a generation.
The tournament is currently set to be spread across several nations in Europe, with plans to move it to one country being talked about whilst the continent tries to deal with the health pandemic.
But how will the tournament shape up, and when do they kick-off?
What teams will be in Scotland’s group?
Scotland will face off with the Auld Enemy in next summer’s Euros.
Clarke’s men will play England in Group D of the tournament.
The Scots will also play World Cup finalists Croatia, with familiar Nations League foes Czech Republic making up the group.
Where will the games be played?
All ties in Group D will be played between Hampden Park and Wembley – with both arenas among the 12 host venues.
Scotland’s opener will be against Czech Republic at the national stadium.
The Tartan Army will then look forward to a trip down south to play England at Wembley.
The final group encounter with Croatia will be played at Hampden.
There are 12 host cities for Euro 2020 including Glasgow and London.
The others are Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Dublin, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome and Saint Petersburg.
What dates will the matches be played on?
Scotland’s Group D opener against the Czechs will be played on July 14, with a 2pm kick-off in Glasgow.
They will then have four days to prepare before locking horns with the English on July 18. The game at Wembley will start at 8pm.
The final group tie with Croatia, to be played at Hampden, will also kick-off at 8pm on July 22.
There has been widespread speculation that Uefa will order a complete overhaul of the competition due to coronavirus with Russia being suggested as the sole host nation.
The Tartan Army will be praying that doesn’t happen and the nation gets to host two games – plus head down south for a meeting with the Auld Enemy.
DECCY DELIGHT
Scotland hero Declan Gallagher was immense tonight.
Still relatively new on the international scene, the Motherwell defender bossed a back-line that included Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal regulars.
Motherwell shared a *very* short message from the man himself as he sat in the away dressing room tonight
ROBBO SHARING THE LOVE
The Scotland skipper shared a congratulatory tweet from Liverpool as he admits he still can’t find the words.
BALLS OF STEEL
Sheffield United star Oli McBurnie shows his appreciation for his fellow teammates who stepped up to the plate when the ultimate pressure was on.
Not too sure about the video myself….
KT LOVE!
The Arsenal man has tweeted after his return to the Scotland fold.
Tierney has endured a difficult spell with injuries and much has been said about Robertson and himself playing in the same team.
But he has thanked those that have stuck with him through those times.
FIRST MINISTER JOY
SCENES IN THE DRESSING ROOM
Don’t think this will be the last tune played tonight….
GAFFER DELIGHT
Scotland boss Steve Clarke admitted he may have a little cry in his room later after guiding the nation to next summer’s Euros.
The former Kilmarnock boss revealed he was rather calm at full time and heaped praise on his side.
Clarke always believed Scotland would get there and is thankful that more people have turned the corner and are behind the national team.
Speaking after tonight’s victory, Clarke said: “Normally we fall at the final hurdle, or we have the glorious failure.
“We were the better team in the game and deserved to be in front but just couldn’t get the second goal to kill them off.
“The equaliser was a big setback, but after the character shown you have to be so proud of the players in how they responded to that.
“We managed to dig in in extra time and get to penalties and we have produced again from the penalty spot.
“It is a magnificent night for everybody in Scotland.
“I hope the fans back home enjoyed the night as much as we did in Belgrade.
“When they came off at the end of 90 minutes, they were very disappointed after conceding so late.
“We reassured them they were the better team and to get back to what they were doing before.
“We have spoken a lot since the low spot in Moscow, the players were determined to get there.
“We have shown we are building great character in the squad, and we are always positive.
“Last month, people started to believe, and we didn’t let them down.
“I’m actually remarkably calm and thought I would have a little tear.
“I had a glint in my eye when Marsh made the save but I managed to keep my emotions in check!”
“I might a little cry in my room later!”
“It is great for Scottish football and gets us back on the map.
“Next summer will take care of itself.”
MAN-BYS
DAVID MARSHALL was the Scotland hero as his penalty save saw Scotland end 22 years of pain.
The Derby keeper saved from Aleksander Mitrovic in the shootout to secure the Scots’ place at next year’s European Championship finals.
After so many glorious failures, this was the squad which finally got them over the line and back in the big time.
SunSport’s Derek McGregor runs the rule over Steve Clarke’s heroes.
SCOTLAND PLAYER RATINGS HERE
MCGET-INN
TEARS OF JOY
This is the moment that Scotland hero Ryan Christie broke down in tears of joy after the shootout win over Serbia sealed the nation’s Euro 2020 dream.
The Celtic star fired Steve Clarke’s men into a 1-0 lead in the second half and looked certain to have sent the Scots to a first major tournament in 22-years.
However, subbed off late, Luka Jovic netted a last-minute header for the Serbs, sending the game to extra time.
Scotland held on after enduring some big periods of pressure and David Marshall was yet again the penalty hero for the nation.
He palmed away Mitrovic’s spot kick to end a generation of failure, hurt and anguish.
The whole country are emotional – and the Scotland stars were no different.
LEAD THE WAY
Lyndon Dykes has endured quite the rise in the last two years.
The QPR forward was playing in the Scottish Championship with Queen of the South not that long ago before his move to Livingston in the top-flight.
Now, he has become an integral part of Steve Clarke’s side.
Dykes had a big choice to make whether to turn out in dark blue or choose his native Australia.
But Dykes believes he has made the ‘best decision of his life’ in choosing Scotland.
He said: “It is amazing, this is what I wanted to come to Scotland and try and do.
“Just to be a part of it with the boys and the gaffer and it’s one of the biggest things in my career – and my life – that I will remember forever.
“It was nerve-racking [watching penalties], I can see why a lot of managers lose their hair quick!
“We made it hard for ourselves at the end there, but we just dug deep and got through to penalties and big Marsh with the save. Just absolute scenes after that.
“The Euros is where Scotland should be.
“Now the players that are going to be playing in those games need to show how good Scotland are and that we belong in that tournament.
“Tonight has been amazing and once we get there we can prove to the world that Scotland is a great nation and that is exactly where we should be.
“So far international football has been great; I haven’t lost yet!
“I’ve enjoyed every moment and the players and gaffer have been great.
“It has been the best decision of my life to play for Scotland, and I just love it!”
MATCH REPORT
What a night for the Scots in Belgrade.
Two minutes away from qualification in normal time before Jovic snatched a late equaliser.
They were under the cosh for much of extra time before seeing it out to penalties.
David Marshall again the hero for Scotland, saving Mitrovic’s kick.
Our man Robert Grieve was at the Red Star Stadium and you can read his match report here
THE CHRISTIE GOAL
It seems a lifetime ago now, but here is Ryan Christie’s goal to put Scotland ahead on the night.
CAPTAIN MARVEL
Andy Robertson revealed he was up next in the shoot-out, but his hamstring was cramping in extra time.
Thankfully for Scotland, we didn’t find out if Robbo was able to step up and take a pen.
An emotional Robertson said after the game: “I don’t think we can sum it up just now.
“So much emotion going into the game to then get so close and they end up equalising.
“You then need to pick yourself up for extra time, which we did without creating much.
“When you go to penalties you always back Marshy and it is just whether the other lads can hold their nerve and they have managed to do it.
“We have come so far as a squad and I’m proud of every one of them up there as they have been through a lot; a lot of criticism and negativity at times.
“We have stuck together and battled through it and hopefully everyone back home can see the positives because we are absolutely delighted.
“We were comfortable, it was actually one of the best away performances I’ve been involved in with Scotland.
“We started the far better team and second half we were far better.
“Unfortunately, we just lost the man for the equaliser, but it shows you the strengths to come back from that.
“Now we have the night we deserve.
“The lads taking penalties were unbelievable.
“What a night, emotionally it is so much. My God, they boys are something else.
“We look forward to the summer now.
“I’ll say every sort of prayer I have to have a full Hampden because we will feel it, we felt it coming out here.
“We all look forward to the summer now.”
IT’LL BE A QUIET ONE TONIGHT
SCOTLAND ADMIN WILL BE HAVING A FIELD DAY WITH THESE TONIGHT…
UNBELIEVABLE SCENES
THE HERO
David Marshall is Scotland’s hero once again after his penalty heroics.
The keeper has had to bide his time behind some great Scottish goalies, but he is now the man that has helped take Scotland to the Euros.
Speaking after the game, he said: “It was never going to be easy.
“We had to see out two or three minutes at the end, and then to come back the way we did.
“The first hour of the game we were completely dominant, and the second goal was just not coming.
“I’m just lost for words at how well the lads turned that pressure around once they got the equaliser.
“The manager, players, Robbo speaking, it just changes the mentality.
“The last three or four games we have gotten that belief of winning games and keeping clean sheets but I don’t know how we done it; but we deserved it.
“I’m just so happy.”
HARD WAY
It’s all over! Scotland will take their place at the Euros next summer.
David Marshall the hero again saving from Mitrovic.
Unbelievable scenes as the players and coaching staff celebrate on the pitch.
22 years of hurt is over. Scotland are on their way!
PENALTIES – SERBIA 4 SCOTLAND 5
ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC HAS MISSED!!!! SCOTLAND HAVE DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PENALTIES – SERBIA 4 SCOTLAND 5
Great from Kenny McLean who guides the ball into the top corner
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
