Scotland Morocco produced a battling but ultimately losing Scots performance. The Scots, in a dire start, lost a game-plan-destroying goal after only 71 secs. After weathering a Morocco storm, the resilient Scots then fought their way back into the game in the last 10 mins of the 1st half. Subsequently, the Scotland 2nd half performance was much more competitive. However, zero shots on target rendered the Scots unable to rescue a draw from a 1-0 defeat. Below, fitba.scot picks out some Scots to have made the best impression against Morocco.
Jack Hendry
Hendry did OK against Haiti and subsequently backed up that with a decent performance against a pacey, skilful, athletic & very dangerous Morocco attack. Also, Hendry did OK in helping feed the midfield when Scotland grew into the game after a difficult first 35 mins.
Lewis Ferguson
Ferguson was Scotland Player of the Match against Morocco, adding to his excellent performance against Haiti. At 7.1 Fotmob rated Ferguson the only Scots outfield player in the top rated 13 players on the pitch against Morocco.
Furthermore against Morocco, his 7.1 Fotmob rating is the only outfield Scots player rated above 6.7. His 10 defensive contributions in the Scotland Morocco game, is the best of any Scot in a single game so far at this World Cup. Additionally, according to Flashscore, 61 out of 67 gives him a 91% pass completion rate yesterday in a Scotland team that has too often struggled to retain ball possession at this World Cup.
Since the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign, Ferguson has been the most reliable player in a Scotland team that has all too often delivered unconvincing performances. That trend has continued at this World Cup.
Kenny McLean
McLean subbed on for the 2nd time at this World Cup, this time playing 19 mins versus Morocco. Specifically after coming on, ice-veins McLean delivered composure & assertiveness, using the ball well, & trying to switch play to bring danger man Gannon-Doak into the play.
Further, McLean’s substitute performance looked the nearest Scotland have to the increasingly missed midfield play linking of Billy Gilmour. McLean’s performance boosted his chances of selection for a starting slot against Brazil in Miami. He has very much justified his selection since we profiled him pre-squad announcement.
Ben Gannon-Doak
The Scotland Morocco game again highlighted the danger Ben Gannon-Doak’s speed brings to the Scots attack, that is simply absent when he isn’t on the pitch. Gannon-Doak subbed off after 75 mins against Haiti. Steve Clarke subbed him on for 30 mins of action against the Moroccans when Kieran Tierney went off injured.
Consequently, such is Gannon-Doak’s threat, Morocco’s defence on occasion doubled up against him. To fully exploit his explosive pace, should he start or sub on against Brazil in the energy sapping heat & humidity of Miami?
Lyndon Dykes
Yesterday’s referee had a higher tolerance of robust play, in comparison to the relatively mamby-pamby challenges that seem to increasingly have refs blowing the whistle in modern football. While not allowing robustness of e.g., Tom Forsyth levels, this ref’s tolerance was ideal for Dykes to bring his trademark physicality to the play.
Further, after subbing on for Ché Adams after 71 mins, Scotland looked better for Dykes’ physique & hold up play. With Gannon-Doak & McLean also subbed on, Dykes was benefiting from playing with other subs who were making an attacking impact, in contrast to the players who had been replaced. Also like the 2 subs mentioned above from the Morocco game, Dykes gives Clarke something to think about for his starting line up versus Brazil.
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