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      Premier League refs slammed as LAZY and ‘not good enough’ by former official after series of VAR blunders

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      FORMER Premier League referee Keith Hackett has slammed the current crop of top flight officials.Following a series of VAR blunders already this season, the ex-ref believes the officials are “not good enough”.
      Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has slammed the current crop of officialsCredit: Getty
      Darren England’s mistake during Tottenham vs Liverpool is one of several VAR blundersCredit: Getty
      He also criticised their laziness in a scathing review of the current standards.
      There have already been several high-profile blunders so far this term, most notably in Liverpool’s defeat at Tottenham last month.
      The Reds had a goal wrongly disallowed after VAR official Darren England failed to overturn the on-field decision.
      Hackett has now given his thoughts on the Premier League’s level of officiating.
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      Speaking on the Fair Game’s We Love You Football, We Do podcast, he said: “What we have seen over the years is a decline in the standards of refereeing.
      “They’ve lost some of the required management skills, the good communication skills between players and referees.
      “There are some referees that have reached the dizzying heights (of the Premier League) who have shortfalls in capability and I don’t think they are good enough.”
      The 79-year-old took charge of the 1981 FA Cup final and was an official at the Euros and Olympics in 1988.
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      Hackett believes VAR is promoting ‘lazy refereeing’Credit: Alamy
      He later became a Premier League referee and officiated 36 matches between 1992 and 1994.
      “There is a lack of basic law knowledge,” Hackett continued. “VAR protocol says if there is a serious missed incident, the game can be stopped.
      “Referees are practitioners of the law and if they’re not studying the law on a regular basis, we’re not going to advance refereeing.
      “Referees get into trouble these days because they are lazy.
      “Nigel Owens, the top-class rugby referee, warned me that the danger you have with VAR is it will promote lazy refereeing. And it has done that. I see referees hesitating on what is clearly a penalty.
      “Is it fear that they don’t want to make an error or is it that they are waiting for the decision to come from the stop department?
      “The role of the referee has to be to make the decision and then VAR to come in and help.” More

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      Blunder official Darren England to referee first match since Liverpool-Tottenham VAR drama in derby clash

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      BLUNDER referee Darren England will officiate a match for the first time since last month’s VAR horror show between Liverpool and Tottenham.The under-pressure official has been tasked with taking charge of Saturday’s Severnside derby between Cardiff and Bristol City.
      VAR blunder ref Darren England is set to officiate a game this weekendCredit: PA
      England was on VAR duty when Spurs bagged a controversial 2-1 win over Liverpool at the end of September.
      The Reds had two men sent off on a disastrous day in north London.
      But the biggest talking point was VAR’s failure to intervene when a legitimate Luis Diaz strike was deemed offside.
      X-rated audio allowed fans to hear England reflect on his major cock-up, with the disallowed strike changing the course of the game.
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      England was axed from his upcoming VAR duties as a result.
      And he only returned to action at the weekend as the fourth official for Brentford’s 3-0 win against Burnley.
      However, England will be the main man for this Saturday’s clash between Cardiff and Bristol City.
      The heated derby game will require a cool head.
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      And the PGMOL feel England is ready to take on full duties again.
      Howard Webb explained why VAR failed to rectify England’s clear mistake during an episode of Match Officials: Mic’d Up.

      He said that England “lost sight of what the on-field decision was” after going through his processes “pretty quickly” and claimed that efficiency is key but “not at the sacrifice of accuracy”.
      Webb also then confirmed that the laws of the game, as set out by Fifa and IFAB, did not allow the officials to intervene to rectify the mistake. More

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      FA call for ROBOT REFEREES to be introduced after series of Premier League blunders

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      THE Football Association have called on Robot Referees to be part of English football.Semi-automated offside technology was used at the Qatar 2022 World Cup finals and is deployed by the top officials in the Champions League.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was furious at refereeing and VAR decisions when his nine-man Liverpool side lost 2-1 at Spurs on September 30Credit: Rex
      Instead of robot payers like these at the 17th International Iran Open Robocup 2023, English football could get mechanical refsCredit: EPA
      Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb has come under fire after several cock-ups involving the use of VAR in high-profile matches.
      Mark Bullingham – the chief executive of the FA – has now waded into the debate and asked for more technology to be considered by officiating teams.
      Bullingham told a Leaders Week conference in London: “You should never have a scenario where you take away from the experience in the stadium or at home.
      “We’ve got to be really, really careful for that.
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      “Of course people used to complain about decisions being made wrong and it’s important to get decisions right, so that’s the starting point.
      “In terms of technology, the question is: Are there ways you can make the decisions quicker?
      “Because I think everyone hates that long pause in the stadium or at home.
      “You’re seeing technological innovations in terms of, for example, semi-autonomous offsides. Can it eventually go autonomous?
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      “And is that going to be a step where you get completely accurate decisions but made very, very quickly?
      “So if you could do that, well that would be better for the fans. That’s an area absolutely to keep exploring.
      “Of course, we’d look at any idea that comes through but really you’ve got to be quite careful not to interrupt the flow of the game any further than that.”
      One the biggest screw-ups this season involved Luis Diaz having a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside for Liverpool in their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on September 30.
      The audio of the bungling VAR discussion which led to that by error was eventually released by the PGMOL.
      Usually punters are kept in the dark about conversations that happen with the on-field referee.
      Speaking in general terms, Bullingham is in favour of more transparency for those in the stadiums and watching on TV.
      Bullingham said: “My personal point of view is that I’d love to get to the point where the fans have more access to the conversation that takes place between the VAR and the referee.
      “I also understand the referees’ perspective on that, they’ve got an incredibly hard job already.

      “Sometimes there are language issues and so particularly in international tournaments, they don’t want anything taken out of context.
      “So I understand the pressure they’re under. I think what we’ve done already is make a step forwards by having decisions that are made now explained.
      “That’s the trial going on at Fifa tournaments and I’m confident that that will then be rolled out more broadly.
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      “I think that’s a step in the direction of giving more transparency to fans on decisions. It’s a complicated area but I do think that’s the direction of travel.”

      The FA are considering ways of changing the format of the women’s FA Cup, which is a traditional knockout competition like the men’s event. Chelsea are the current holders after beating Manchester United in the final in front of 77,000 fans in May. More

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      How fans want Premier League to look, with foreign referees and VAR scrapped… but one controversial rule KEPT

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans are often quick to point the finger at officials when things don’t go right for their clubs. But a new survey has revealed what they’d do to change the landscape of the league’s refereeing if it was up to them.
      Premier League fans have had their say on what they would change about the league’s refereeingCredit: Getty
      VAR has been a hot topic this season with a number of high profile errorsCredit: Reuters
      Supporters were quizzed in a new poll by BetVictor over what they would like to see changed about officiating in the Premier League.
      There has already been a number of high profile mistakes by VAR this season, not least Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal vs Tottenham.
      And it would appear that fans have come to the end of their tether with the technology and are ready to get rid of it.
      Over half (54.4 per cent) of fans said they would get rid of VAR if they had the option to do so.
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      But it’s not just the tech that fans are sick of, but those in charge of it too.
      Over two thirds of fans (68.6 per cent) think the PGMOL should broaden their horizons and widen their refereeing pool by considering the inclusion of more foreign officials.
      There is currently just one referee in the Premier League who doesn’t herald from England.
      Aussie Jarred Gillett joined the division in 2021 after successful spells officiating in the Australian A-League and the English Football League.
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      Australian Jarred Gillett is the only non-English referee in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      But fans seem to think that one external hire isn’t enough and would like to see the league cherry-pick the footballing world’s best refs.
      Despite a pretty damning assessment of the current Premier League officiating, there is one new rule than supporters are keen on.
      Fans appear to like the increased added time that has come into action this term and are happy for it to stick around.
      With even more late drama and an increase in last grasp goals an overwhelming 65 per cent of Premier League fans want the new added time rules to continue going forward.
      Tottenham completed the latest winning comeback in Premier League history earlier this season thanks to a whopping 16 minutes of added timeCredit: Getty More

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      Blunder VAR officials Darren England and Daniel Cook’s Premier League return confirmed after Liverpool shambles

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      VAR blunder officials Darren England and Daniel Cook are returning to Premier League duty this weekend.The duo hit the headlines last month following their glaring error in the clash between Tottenham and Liverpool.
      VAR blunder official Darren England is returning to action this weekendCredit: Getty
      England and Cook were the VAR and VAR assistant when Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside as the Merseysiders went on to lose 2-1.
      The Colombian international thought he’d put the visitors in the lead in the 34th minute with a nifty finish just inside the 18-yard box.
      However, on-field ref Simon Hooper and VAR official England bizarrely ruled out the goal with Cook also failing to intervene – despite replays clearly showing Diaz was onside.
      Prem chiefs came down hard on VAR man for the day England and VAR assistant Cook by removing them from their next proposed outing – Nottingham Forest vs Brentford earlier this month.
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      But the pair are both returning for the next round of fixtures after weeks in the spotlight.
      England is fourth official for Brentford’s home game against Burnley on Saturday.
      Cook will be assistant referee for Sheffield United’s match against Manchester United.
      Meanwhile, Hooper is the designated VAR for Newcastle’s clash with Crystal Palace.
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      The expletive filled audio of the VAR gaffe behind Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal was released after the farce.
      The clip reveals VAR officials England and assistant Cook drew the lines showing that Diaz was onside.
      The indication was then given by the officials that the check was complete, with on-field referee Hooper heard saying: “Well done boys good process.”
      However, the officials then realised play had resumed without the correct call being made on field after the replay operator queried the decision.
      Upon being asked again by the replay operator about the outcome of the decision, the VAR team then became aware the incorrect call had been made.
      Assistant video referee Cook then backs this up by saying: “That’s wrong Daz.”
      Upon realising the error, England be heard saying: “Oh ****.”
      The replay operator can be heard requesting to delay the game, but since it had already resumed there was no way to pull it back.
      England can be heard saying: “I can’t do anything”, before swearing once again.
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb explained why VAR failed to rectify the clear mistake during an episode of Match Officials: Mic’d Up.
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      He said that England “lost sight of what the on-field decision was” after going through his processes “pretty quickly” and claimed that efficiency is key but “not at the sacrifice of accuracy”.
      Webb also then confirmed that the laws of the game, as set out by Fifa and IFAB, did not allow the officials to intervene to rectify the mistake. More

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      Football should consider drastic rule change with refs too quick to show red card with grossly-exaggerated punishments

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      WHEN your team is a goal behind and the opposition start to use cunning ploys to run down the clock, you will get excitable.However, when you are one-goal up and under pressure, you will smile along with your mates if your team use clever delaying tactics up to the final whistle.
      Referees are brandishing red cards a lot easier with the new rule changeCredit: Getty
      Unfortunately, Fifa can’t spot a minor blemish on the field of play without taking a bulldozer to it.
      So in August, timewasting became a regular yellow-card incident — of which there were no fewer than six in the Women’s Super League last weekend and 11 in the Premier League a week before.
      Of course, two yellow cards become a red and an immediate one-match ban.
      That was what happened to England defender Alex Greenwood on Sunday.
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      She took a couple of seconds too long in ­sizing up alternatives with a free-kick, received her second yellow and got sent off.
      Greenwood had taken 26 seconds to play the ball after Emily Heaslip awarded Manchester City a free-kick in the 38th minute of their key home WSL game against Chelsea.

      She had already passed it as ref Heaslip strode towards her to issue her sanction — and Greenwood’s delivery was below last season’s average 34 seconds.
      Would VAR have saved her?
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      Even if they were allowed to review second bookings, judging by recent instances, guardians of the monitors in Stockley Park might have been nodding off at the time.
      In all, Heaslip showed 11 yellows and two reds in this ONE game, which smacks of being a little over-zealous.
      But I wasn’t there and, like most people, I feel referees have a highly challenging job and strong criticism is often unjust.
      FIFA see them as policemen with whistles — the sustainers of law and order.
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      Karren Brady insists Fifa should address this latest issueCredit: Getty
      True, refs should be decisive but equally they should avoid being pedantic.
      As far as I am aware, there was no gain for Greenwood in delaying her free-kick by a few seconds — and she was actually quicker than the normal.
      We’ve all seen occasions where players exaggerate minor knocks — and frankly, if they are not wearing shin pads they shouldn’t complain too pitiably.
      Every regular fan can point to other annoying examples of time- wasting and that was why the authorities were anxious to use the rules to give them better value for their money.
      This has led to numerous 100-minute matches in the men’s and women’s game.
      Last week’s Premier League fixture between Fulham and Sheffield United racked up just a few seconds short of 114 minutes.
      More second yellow cards for time-wasting are being issued by refereesCredit: Rex
      Fair enough. But the rights of players should be protected and refs should try not to spoil a contest by harsh punishments for trivial delays.
      Maybe it is time to consider a sin-bin.
      It works in rugby union in the form of a ten-minute penalty for fairly serious offences — which surely nobody would suggest of a four-second delay in taking a throw-in.
      Far more infuriating are the delays for falsified injury; while players celebrate scoring by scrummaging with fans in the crowd; the age to bring on substitutes and other time-cheating on a Dr Who scale.
      Worst of all are minutes waiting for head-scratching VAR experts, baffled so often by a handball or offside.
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      My view? Wasted time is a bore.
      But the punishment should fit the crime — not grossly exceed it. More

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      SFA write to Uefa and demand answers over disallowed Scotland ‘goal’ vs Spain – and question missing VAR penalty check

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      THE SFA have demanded answers from UEFA over Scott McTominay’s disallowed wonder strike.SunSport Online revealed this morning how the Scotland star’s sensational free-kick against Spain in Seville last night was chalked off for offside.
      Iain Maxwell and Mike Mulraney want answers from NyonCredit: Willie Vass
      Referee Serdar Gözübüyük went to the monitor before disallowing Scott McTominay’s stunnerCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      The free-kick was ruled out for two reasons – initially a foul and later offsideCredit: viaplay
      High ranking sources within European football’s governing body confirmed to us Jack Hendry did NOT foul goalkeeper Unai Simon as first claimed.
      That has left Hampden chiefs baffled given Dutch referee Sendar Gozubuyuk made a key mistake by failing to signal correctly after a VAR check.
      And they’ve now sent a letter to Euro chiefs outline their disapproval and questioning the chronology of events.
      Scotland boss Steve Clarke insisted in his post-match interviews he wasn’t seeking any clarification.

      However, the SFA have today lobbied Euro bigwigs for answers.
      They’ve written to Uefa’s Head of Refereeing, Roberto Rosetti, for an explanation on the confusion and contradiction surrounding the ‘goal’.
      They also want know why it took 16 minutes to change the reason for the decision from foul to off-side.
      Other flashpoints in the game have also formed part of their letter.
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      It’s believed Scotland’s chiefs were also stunned that a potential second-half penalty for Lyndon Dykes didn’t appear to be looked at by VAR.
      There were other decisions ref Gozubuyuk made which will be included in the correspondence.
      John McGinn was clearly body-checked in the first-half but the woeful whistler insisted no foul had been committed.
      It’s unlikely the SFA’s pleas will lead to any significant outcome on the matter.
      However, president Mike Mulraney and chief executive Ian Maxwell and determined to take it further to give the Tartan Army answers.
      SunSport spoke to a source at Uefa earlier today who told us: “The referee’s decision at the free-kick was for offside.
      “After the on-field review, the decision was offside as the attacking player (Jack  Hendry) was touching and standing in front of the goalkeeper.
      “Therefore, according to Law 11 for Offside, the attacker impacted on his opponent – the goalkeeper – playing or attempting to play the ball.”
      The decision had massive consequences for Scotland as it would have put Scotland ahead in the key qualifier.
      But the decision lifted the home support in the La Cartuja Stadium and goals from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet saw Spain win 2-0.
      In a further officiating twist, the official Uefa Referee Delegate for the match was switched in the days before the game.
      It was originally supposed to be experienced Italian Rosetti, but he withdrew for personal reasons.
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      Pole Tomasz Mikulski was to be ref observer at Israel’s match against Switzerland but when it was postponed he replaced Rosetti in Seville.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Spain 2 Scotland 0 – VAR sickener as McTominay strike cruelly disallowed as Clarke’s men kept waiting on qualification

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      IN a city of bullfighting this was bull****.Seville’s matadors have nothing on how Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk skewered Scotland.
      McTominay couldn’t believe his goal was chalked-offCredit: Getty
      The ref disallowed the stunning strike after VAR reviewCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Morata scored just over 10 minutes later with Scotland kept waiting on qualificationCredit: Getty
      Everything he did was a red rag to the Steve Clarke and his side.
      But his decision to disallow a Scott McTominay wonder goal at 0-0 was an absolute disgrace.
      The records books will show Spain’s Álvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet scored the two goals that counted.
      But it was the one that didn’t which left such a bad taste on the mouth.

      Clarke insisted he didn’t want any favours from anyone before a ball was kicked.
      Well, he certainly didn’t get any.
      The VAR decision after 60 minutes robbed Scotland of a huge goal which would have gone a long way to getting the point needed to secure qualification for next summer’s finals.
      At first it was chalked off for a foul on the goalkeeper.
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      Then it was changed to off-side.

      You’d have been forgiven for thinking the officials were simply making it up as they went along.
      The contempt Gozubuyuk showed for our team made you believe Uefa will do anything to make sure the big nations reach Germany next year
      Now, of course, Scotland are looking for another Spain win against Norway in Oslo on Sunday night.
      If that happens all this will quickly be forgotten about.
      But for now this didn’t half hurt.
      Let’s be honest, winning felt unlikely before a ball was kicked.
      Spain chose Andalucia for a reason with the record books showing they rarely lost in this part of the world.
      It’s their go-to venue when they need a result. Seville a city no Scottish team has ever won before.
      Even with Scotland sitting pretty at the top of Group A – with five wins from five – it was still a daunting prospect.
      But it wasn’t ever beyond the realms of all possibility that Clarke’s side could get the point they needed to qualify. And we didn’t half make Spain sweat in the searing heat of Seville.
      That’s what this group of players have given the nation above all else. 
      Hope.
      It was always going to be nervy and edgy whenever Spain came forward. That much was certain.
      De la Fuente’s side could have taken the lead inside the first 60 seconds with Ferran Torres missing a chance he usually buries.
      There and then every Scot feared the worst.
      Scotland stars ratedBy ANDY DEVLIN
      ANGUS GUNN: His goal had led a charmed life most of the night. That said, he hadn’t made a save worthy of note when Morata headed Spain in front. Couldn’t be faulted at either Spanish goal….6.
      AARON HICKEY: Football can be such a cruel game. The left-back playing at right-back had been outstanding when he lost his footing to effectively gift-wrap the win for Spain….6.
      RYAN PORTEOUS: The Watford man had just got back to make a superb block when he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was his unfortunate own goal which sealed Spain’s win…6.
      JACK HENDRY: Stepping out trying to make an early interception almost cost Scotland dear, Ferran Torres missed a sitter. But how he settled thereafter. Picked up a late booking, but that was down to frustration..7.
      SCOTT McKENNA: In for the injured Kieran Tierney. The former Aberdeen star won’t get forward like Tierney, but you lost count of the amount of headers he won. Had a fine match..7. 
      ANDY ROBERTSON: More than played his part in a solid defensive first half showing. But the Scotland captain was forced off with a shoulder injury two minutes from the break..5. 
      SCOTT McTOMINAY: The man who can do no wrong for Scotland thought he’d done it again. A sensational free-kick, ruled out by VAR and a ref who gave Clarke’s side nothing all night….6. 
      CALLUM McGREGOR: The hugely experienced midfielder was the one going round trying to keep his teammates calm and focused after McTominay’s free-kick was ruled out. Replaced late on…6. 
      JOHN McGINN: Totally wiped out by Carvajal right on the edge of the Spanish box. Incredibly, Dutch ref Serdar Gozubuyuk waved play on, setting the tone for a truly appalling performance…6.
      RYAN CHRISTIE: The one Scotland midfielder who attempted to get up in support of Dykes. Tried to provide Clarke’s men with an outball, while mindful of his defensive duties. Replaced late on….6. 
      LYNDON DYKES: Picked up a booking after a coming together with Laporte. It was a thankless task for the QPR man who ran himself into the ground up front on his own….6.
      Subs:
      NATHAN PATTERSON: Got away with one when Balde robbed him of the ball. Booked for a foul on Bryan Zaragoza, but stuck doggedly to his defensive tasks…5.
      CHE ADAMS: Should have scored just moments after coming on. Failed to properly connect with Hickey’s cross…4.
      STUART ARMSTRONG: Another sub who snatched at a half-chance for Scotland…2.
      KENNY McLEAN: Came on just after Spain scored their second…2.
      BILLY GILMOUR: No time for the young midfield star to shine…2.

      But despite having the vast, vast majority of the ball, Spain didn’t make it count in the first-half.
      For Scotland it was all about tracking runners and filling the gaps whenever they appeared.
      Callum McGregor was vital in his role in front of the back five.
      Being without injured Kieran Tierney was a definite blow but Scott McKenna came into the team and didn’t look out of place.
      Aaron Hickey was outstanding on the right, making a sensational block to prevent Mikel Oyarzabal scoring in 34 minutes.
      When the ball broke for Mikel Merino he hit a shot which smacked the post and fizzed across Angus Gunn’s goal and somehow stayed out of his net to drift out for a goal kick on the opposite side.
      It was the kind of moment which made you think this might just be Scotland’s night.
      Morata thought he’d scored in 38 minutes too but the flag went up showing he was a good two or three yards off-side.
      By that time Clarke just wanted to get his team into the away changing room to regroup.
      But before the half-time whistle went he was dealt a massive blow with Robertson helped off the pitch with a suspected dislocated shoulder.
      He’d been clattered by goalkeeper Unai Simón as he jumped for a high ball, coming off second best, with his night over.
      Clarke’s answer was to put on Everton’s Nathan Patterson and play him on the right with Hockey shifting over to the left.
      In an attacking sense there wasn’t much there for Scotland before the break. Lyndon Dykes had a running battle with Aymeric Laporte which saw him booked.
      The QPR hitman’s touches were limited.
      But it was all about how the team were fighting for each other all over the pitch to keep Spain at bay.
      We certainly weren’t going to get any help from the Dutch referee who was hell bent on giving the Euro giants the benefit of any doubt throughout the night.
      The decision to disallow McTominay’s wonder strike free-kick on the hour mark was nothing short of a disgrace.
      It should have been the goal of his life.
      Instead the officials contrived to rob him and Scotland of a precious lead.
      The moment it went to VAR to check for a foul everyone knew what was coming next.
      Replays showed there had been virtually no contact by Jack Hendry on goalkeeper Simon.
      But still the ref sided with the Spanish and awarded them a free-kick.
      Joy had suddenly turned to anger and disbelief – with the home side soon taking full advantage of the let-off.

      With 73 minutes on the clock Morata made a darting run and stooped to glance a header past Gunn.
      It was simply agonising.
      Even then Scotland had late chances to level the game with subs Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong blocked from scoring.
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      But in 86 minutes Sancet pounced after Hickey slipped and it was all over.

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More