Newcastle defender Grant Hanley has been criticised for his performance for Scotland against Malta.
Cheltenham Town’s Danny Wright (L) in action with Newcastle United’s Grant Hanley
Pundit Willie Miller has told BBC Sport that he felt Grant Hanley was ‘clumsy’ during Scotland’s 5-1 win over Malta on Sunday night.
Scotland kicked off their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a thumping 5-1 win over Malta in Attard, with Hull City star Robert Snodgrass smashing a hat-trick for Gordon Strachan’s side.
Chris Martin and Steven Fletcher also got on the scoresheet in a superb win for Scotland, as they look to qualify for their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.
Scotland’s Grant Hanley looks dejected
A number of players impressed for Scotland, but Newcastle United defender Grant Hanley has received some criticism for his performance.
Hanley, 24, completed a move from Blackburn to Newcastle this summer, but hasn’t played in the Championship since the opening day of the season as he has assumed something of a backup role under Rafael Benitez.
Scotland’s Grant Hanley looks dejected
The giant centre back showed some rust from not playing so much this season, and his performance was criticised by a BBC Scotland pundit after the game.
Former Scotland international Willie Miller told BBC Sport that he felt Hanley was guilty of ‘barging and clumsy challenges’ far too much against Malta.
Scotland’s Grant Hanley in action with Malta’s Andrei Agius
Miller added that he thought Hanley was dragged out of position too much and went in too strongly in some challenges – things Miller doesn’t want to see from a defender on the international stage.
“There was an awful lot of barging and clumsy challenges from Newcastle United’s summer signing,” said Miller. “He got himself dragged out of position and put in the kind heavy challenges that you don’t want to give away at international level,” he added.
What did you think of Hanley’s performance against Malta?
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