Liam Palmer gets start but Scotland fall to defeat

Liam Palmer got a rare start for Scotland but the Sheffield Wednesday defender couldn’t prevent the Scots’ nine-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat against fellow Euro 2020 qualifiers Slovakia.
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A deflected long-range first-half effort from Jan Gregus prevented a much-changed Scotland side from equalling their longest run without defeat since 1927.

A Scotland win would have secured top spot in Nations League Group B2 - and potentially one of two World Cup play-off places on offer from the competition.

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Steve Clarke made eight changes following his side's penalty shoot-out Euro 2020 play-off win in Serbia having stressed beforehand that their post-match celebrations would have no bearing on his selection.

Scotland's Scott McKenna (right) and Liam Palmer appear dejected after the final whistle during the UEFA Nations League Group 2, League B match at City Arena, Trnava, Slovakia. PA Photo.  Martin Baumann/TASR/PA Wire.Scotland's Scott McKenna (right) and Liam Palmer appear dejected after the final whistle during the UEFA Nations League Group 2, League B match at City Arena, Trnava, Slovakia. PA Photo.  Martin Baumann/TASR/PA Wire.
Scotland's Scott McKenna (right) and Liam Palmer appear dejected after the final whistle during the UEFA Nations League Group 2, League B match at City Arena, Trnava, Slovakia. PA Photo. Martin Baumann/TASR/PA Wire.

Only Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie and John McGinn, who was named captain, kept their places while as well as Palmer, Craig Gordon, Scott McKenna, Liam Cooper, Andy Considine, Kenny McLean, Stuart Armstrong and Oli McBurnie came in.

Palmer was in the heart of the action for a large part of the game.

Christie saw an angled drive saved following an Armstrong pass before setting up McBurnie, whose first touch let him down. The loose ball fell to Palmer whose shot arrowed over the bar.

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Scotland continued to look confident and comfortable but fell behind in the 31st minute.

Gregus was allowed too much time to line up a shot from 25 yards and the ball deflected off McLean to give Gordon no chance as the shot nestled in the bottom corner.

Palmer also shot over first time from Tierney's delivery before crossing for McBurnie, who got in front of his marker but headed straight at the goalkeeper from 10 yards.