Scotland vs Czech Republic Player Ratings: 9/10 duo Vaclik, Schick make the difference; Robertson the only positive for hosts

Tomas Vaclik and Patrik Schick stood out, while Andrew Robertson was the only positive for Scotland as Czech Republic ran out 2-0 winners at Hampden Park.

The game was an end to end affair that also ebbed and flowed superbly at times, although chance creation came at a premium. However, heading into half-time, Czech Republic grabbed the lead courtesy Patrik Schick, who rose the highest to head in a pinpoint cross by Vladimi Coufal. The second half started in a frantic fashion, with both goalkeepers making fine saves early on.

Once again, though, it was Czech Republic who found the back of the net and this time, it was a sensational effort by Schick that doubled his and his side’s tally. Scotland did push to pull a goal back thereafter, but Czech Republic held on to grab all three points and claim the top spot in Group D ahead of England, who beat Croatia on Sunday. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both sets of players.

Scotland

David Marshall: 6/10

A solid presence in goal, Marshall made a solid save to deny Patrik Schick early on. However, he could not have done much to keep the Czech Republic striker at bay for his goal. The most notable moment for the Scotland no. 1 was the moment when he made two saves in quick succession to keep out Schick and Vladimir Darida’s efforts. But, he was left red-faced when Schick scored his second in the game.

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Jack Hendry: 6/10

Oddly enough, Hendry hardly got involved in a lot of action either on the ball or off it. However, when he was tested, he was fairly solid while being precise with the ball at his feet before being taken off for Callum McGregor.

Grant Hanley: 5/10

Wobbly display by Hanley, who struggled at times against the pace and power of Schick. More importantly, he failed to thwart the Czech Republic striker when he rose above him to score the first goal. Made 5 clearances and won 9 duels but switched off when it mattered.

Liam Cooper: 6/10

Up against a dangerous Jakub Jankto, Cooper was solid enough at the back and was particularly imperious in the air, winning each of his six aerial duels. However, his output on the ball left a lot to be desired at times, losing possession a staggering 21 times.

Stephen O’Donnell: 5/10

While Andrew Robertson was top notch on the left flank, O’Donnell was the polar opposite on his side, as he was quite wasteful with his deliveries and did not really pose much of a threat going down his wing. Completed just 69 percent of the passes he attempted while losing possession 20 times.

John McGinn: 5/10

The Player in Focus for Scotland in our preview, McGinn proved to be anything but important for Scotland. Sloppy on the ball, he misplaced 10 of the 35 passes he attempted while losing possession 19 times. Has to do better against England later this week.

Scott McTominay: 6/10

Sitting at the base of the Scotland midfield, McTominay did well to keep a check on Darida, though there were some nervy moments as well. In the end, he was far from the reason for Scotland’s defeat.

Stuart Armstrong: 5/10

Not the most memorable of games for Armstrong, who saw quite a bit of the ball but failed to make things happen with it apart from playing 1 key pass. Had a couple of shots blocked, but that was about it for him before being taken off.

Andrew Robertson: 8/10

A constant outlet on the left flank, Robertson was the most potent creative option for Scotland on Monday. The Scotland captain also came close to scoring once, only to be denied by Tomas Vaclik. Sent in several inviting crosses, but it just was not to be for him on the day.

Ryan Christie: 5/10

A game to forget for Christie, who, apart from one run from the right flank, hardly got a chance to make an impression. Did play a key pass, but that was as good as it got before he was taken off at half-time.

Lyndon Dykes: 5/10

A sub-par showing by Dykes, who either could not manage to get into dangerous positions inside the Czech Republic box or fluff his lines when he did get on the end of a chance. Did get two chances to find the back of the net but his end product was dreadful.

SUBSTITUTES

Che Adams: 5/10

Introduced at half-time in place of Christie, Adams endured a frustrating afternoon as he was left isolated for much of his stay on the pitch. Could still get a chance to impress against England, though.

Callum McGregor: 6/10

In a professional display, McGregor kept things simple and completed just about every pass that he attempted while stopping Czech Republic’s move early on. Deserves a start versus England.

Ryan Fraser: 5/10

Hardly a factor in the final quarter of the game, when Scotland needed him to pull out the big guns. Managed just x touches and did nothing to warrant a starting spot next time out.

James Forrest: N/A

A purposeful cameo by Forrest, who tried his utmost to make a difference, but was denied by a smart block by Ondrej Celustka. Could be in the starting lineup against England.

Kevin Nisbet: N/A

On for Dykes, Nisbet did not get many opportunities to pull a goal back for Scotland, with Czech Republic defending valiantly.

Czech Republic

Tomas Vaclik: 9/10

While Patrik Schick made all the difference in the final third, Vaclik was critical in ensuring Scotland could never pull a goal back. The Czech Republic no. 1 made plenty of top saves, but the one to deny an otherwise certain own goal by Ondrej Celustka stood out.

Vladimir Coufal: 7/10

Embarked on an engaging duel with Andrew Robertson, with the two full-backs trading blows on that flank. The big moment for Coufal, though, was when he sent in the pinpoint cross that was converted by Schick for the opener. Job well done.

Ondrej Celustka: 7/10

A top notch performance by Celustka, who apart from a miscued clearance that nearly went behind Vaclik, was simply outstanding. The 31-year-old made a couple of big blocks which denied Scotland two certain goals while winning as many as nine duels.

Tomas Kalas: 7/10

Alongside Celustak, Kalas played a key role in preserving his side’s clean sheet in the face of the onslaught by Scotland. Stationed at the heart of Czech Republic’s defence, the former Chelsea defender made 7 clearances in addition to three blocks.

Jan Boril: 6.5/10

A solid effort by Boril, who kept a check on O’Donnell superbly, making as many as 5 interceptions in addition to 4 clearances and 2 blocks. However, he was a tad bit wasteful with the ball at his feet, which pulls his rating back a bit.

Alex Kral: 6/10

Scotland won the midfield battle in this game and even though they did not really take advantage of that, Kral could have done a bit better to keep his counterparts quiet. At the same time, he was also quite sloppy on the ball, completing just 57 percent of his attempted passes, which is simply not acceptable from a midfielder.

Tomas Soucek: 6.5/10

Slightly better than Kral, but Soucek was not quite at his best against Scotland. While he did create a chance, the 26-year-old was wasteful with the ball at his feet as well and lost possession 14 times. Will need to address that side of his game ahead of the clash against Croatia.

Lukas Masopust: 6/10

A game of hits and misses for Masopust, who did play a key pass but failed to create too many chances in and around the Scotland box. However, he put in the hard yards to support Coufal, completing 2 blocks, interceptions and tackles each. Has to improve his output in the final third.

Vladimir Darida: 6.5/10

The Czech Republic captain was a bundle of energy high up the pitch, but was also contained quite well by Scott McTominay at times. Darida, though, posed the greatest threat against Scotland on Monday, as he did not shy away from taking aim at goal, but was denied by David Marshall.

Jakub Jankto: 6.5/10

Jankto showed a lot of desire to make things happen, and did play a team-high 3 key passes. But, there is a sense that he can do even more to threaten the opposition goalkeeper. Did well enough on the day, though.

Patrik Schick: 9/10

A purposeful showing by Schick, who was starved of service thanks to some solid defending by the Scotland centre-backs at times, but rose the highest to put Czech Republic in front ahead of half-time. The moment of the game also belonged to Schick, who produced a phenomenal long-range effort to double his and Czech Republic’s tally

SUBSTITUTES

Tomas Holes: 6/10

On for Kral, Holes spent the final quarter of the game behind the ball and was put under the cosh by Switzerland. Solid enough in the end.

Adam Hlozek: N/A

Hardly got a touch on the ball after replacing Jankto.

Matej Vydra: N/A

On for Masopust, Vydra did well to keep the ball away from the Czech Republic half when he got on the ball but did not have the opportunity to do anything other than that, with his team in defence mode.

Michael Krmencik: N/A

A late introduction, Krmencik got just three touches on the ball in the dying stages of the match.

Petr Sevcik: N/A

A late introduction, Sevcik helped see the game out.