What a night for West Dunbartonshire!
Scotland beat Spain to go top of Group A with famous Hampden victory
It could well be a charge that leads Scotland all the way to Germany for next summer’s European Championships after a famous night in which the outstanding Scott McTominay scored twice.
So much for holding midfielder, the Manchester United man took his tally to four goals inside an hour of international football following his late double in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Cyprus.
With third seeds Norway drawing in Georgia at tea-time, these back-to-back victories have put Steve Clarke’s side firmly in control of Group A.
It is a trip to Oslo next up in June, by which time the hosts will hope to have Erling Haaland, Manchester City available.
Helensburgh lad Scott McTominay opened the scoring after just seven minutes for his third goal in two games, and his fourth came after an amazing run down the left by Kieran Tierney, a former pupil of St Peter and the Apostles school in Clydebank.
Dalmuir lad John McGinn, whose grandfather, Jack, a former chairman of Celtic who lives in Dumbarton, played a huge part in what was a magnificent win for the Scots and had a smile as wide as the Clyde at the end of the game.
McTominay and Tierney, who made it for him, celebrate Scotland’s second goal.
The Manchester United midfielder then made it two just after the break for a fourth in two outings
McTominay’s goals ensured Scotland sealed a memorable first win over Spain since 1984
And so it was that, for the first time since 2006 when defeating France, Scotland bloodied the noses of what would be considered one of the game’s leading nations, at least in historical terms.
Spain’s team-sheet used to read as a ‘Who’s Who’ of the world’s best footballers. ’Who?’ would be more appropriate with this XI.
Only two of their starters had more than 20 caps and defender David Garcia, at 29, was making his debut. He had best cherish that cap on this evidence, for he was awful.
The point of all of that is this – Spain are not the force of old. In fact, there was nothing forceful about them at all here.
But there was plenty to like for Scotland and lots to love for West Dunbartonshire whose Council has just upped the charges for youth footballers to play matches on local pitches to something like £120.
It’s hard to believe that’s happening in what was once known as the Cradle of Scottish Football, where young players learned the game and Renton won the World Cup.
Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh were amongst those teams who won honours at the inception of the game in the late 1800s.
You would think the people who run West Dunbartonshire would know that history, cherish and nurture it, not price youngsters out of the game they love and have inherited with pride.
And brought great honour and joy to the community during these hard, hard times.