Simply after the hour mark, earlier than the Dutch deluge washed Scotland away, Lawrence Shankland was lastly introduced with a chance to point out his simple strengths.
The Hearts captain had spent his evening doing the very issues that some thought have been potential weaknesses – working the channels, holding the road, bringing others into the sport.
Then the Dutch received themselves right into a determined muddle on the again. Scott McTominay ransacked them in their very own penalty space and, instantly, Shankland was one-on-one with Mark Flekken.
In that second you’d have guess the home on essentially the most prolific finisher within the Scottish Premiership to execute.
He stood up Flekken and picked his spot, which occurred to be the face of the crossbar. You virtually did a double take. Shankland scores in his sleep from that place.
All season you possibly can have blindfolded him, spun him round thrice and nonetheless he would have put away that probability. Totally different stage, although. Totally different planet.
That was a black mark in opposition to his title for positive. He needed to rating. Simply needed to. And it was a disgrace as a result of he’d labored effectively to that time, a shock choice to start out the sport however one who was becoming in.
His one-touch lay-offs to team-mates have been exactly the sort of factor that Che Adams does. His presence up high was not as bodily highly effective as Lyndon Dykes however he was performing the nuts and bolts in his personal quiet method.
This was a special sort of evening for him, an evening of subtleties, an evening of being a part of a crew somewhat than being the focus, the principle man, the purpose machine.
Shankland needed to present his supervisor that this crew can nonetheless operate as his supervisor desires it to with him on the coronary heart of the assault. And he did that.
Scotland created a truckload of moments whereas he was on the sector. A Ryan Christie try tipped on to the crossbar, a John McGinn shot saved, a Christie header vast. All wonderful moments.
Shankland was concerned in teeing up Billy Gilmour, who pushed it vast. He was concerned once more when enjoying in Andy Robertson, however the Scotland captain was indecisive.
After which it got here. The possibility he would have dreamed about in mattress on Thursday, the very sort he is wolfed up all season.
Twenty league objectives in 30 video games or, to place it one other method, 51% of Hearts’ league objectives. Lots of them have been an entire lot tougher than his golden probability in opposition to the Dutch. This was virtually routine by comparability.
Steve Clarke had stated, considerably enigmatically, that he was going to attempt one thing totally different on this recreation. The one thing, because it turned out, was beginning Shankland forward of his two extra chosen ones, Adams and Dykes.
And so, having gone up in opposition to Jack Baldwin of Ross County and Jack Baird of Greenock Morton in his final two video games for his membership, Shankland was now dealing with the good Virgil van Dijk for his nation.
Van Dijk along with his Champions League and his Premier League and his European Tremendous Cup and his World Membership Cup. A former participant of the 12 months in Europe, a veteran of greater than eight years at Liverpool with a 70% win return.
One of many best, if not the best, centre-back on the planet. Go do your stuff in opposition to this man, Lawrence.
Had he put away that probability as an alternative of hitting the woodwork, you would be speaking about him now usurping Adams and Dykes.
Possibly that is nonetheless a sound argument however the miss was a catastrophic blow to a crew that solely trailed 1-0 on the time – and a contact unluckily at that.
‘Actuality hits Scots between eyes’
The floodgates opened quickly after and it was ugly. Having wasted probabilities they have been schooled by a crew who have been ok to take benefit. Softness outlined the endgame. It was a regarding give up.
Scotland got here into this having shipped 14 objectives of their earlier 5, winless, matches. Then it was 15 and 16. They grew ever extra spooked and it turned 17 and 18.
A drubbing. The best way the lights went out was surreal. The Netherlands are a superb aspect however you could not say that they have been at their best on Friday.
Having now drawn two and misplaced 4 of their final six video games, Clarke has work to do. Actuality hit in Amsterdam. Proper between the eyes.
Far more of those focus lapses and the Euros may go up in a puff of smoke.
They’re in a bunch the place, at their very, best, they’re able to profitable each recreation. They’re additionally in a bunch the place their very own deficiencies may see them lose each recreation, maybe badly.
Clarke must reset. He is received three extra friendlies to come back in opposition to Northern Eire, Gibraltar and Finland and the crew wants wins, solidity and a return of momentum.
The large present in Germany shouldn’t be far-off. Scotland have picked a horrible time to look tender.