A fine solo effort from John McGinn wasn’t enough for Scotland as their unbeaten run ended with a 2-1 defeat away to Turkey in a friendly on Wednesday night.
With both nations missing out on the World Cup in Qatar, this was the start of their preparations for Euro 2024 qualifying but it was Turkey looking better set for that campaign for the first hour.
The standout Hakan Calhanoglu twice tested Craig Gordon from distance early on before crossing for former on-loan Liverpool defender Ozan Kabak (40) to head the hosts in front just before the break.
The marking from Scott McTominay and Grant Hanley at that free-kick was loose and Kabak had already rattled the bar from a corner, with Scotland looking vulnerable from set-pieces.
The hosts deservedly went two clear when Cengiz Under (49) squeezed his shot through the legs of Scott McKenna after a quick counter-attack and it was turning into a worrying night for Steve Clarke’s side, regardless of the seven changes they’d made from their Nations League promotion-clinching draw with Ukraine last time out.
But McGinn’s (62) driving run away from Caglar Soyuncu and excellent finish into the far corner inspired his team-mates, who saw a penalty appeal waved away and had Jack Hendry head over the bar as they pushed for an elusive equaliser during a much-improved final half an hour.
Scotland finished the match with Gordon up for a last-gasp corner but there was no way back. Their four-game unbeaten run may be over but there was encouragement late on to take into their Euros qualifiers, which begin on March 25 against Cyprus.
More to follow…
