Steven Thompson has criticised Newcastle defender Grant Hanley.
Scotland’s Grant Hanley looks dejected
Pundit Steven Thompson has told BBC Sport that he felt Grant Hanley’s lack of football was clear as he struggled in Scotland’s 3-0 defeat to Slovakia on Tuesday.
Just days after a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Lithuania, Scotland travelled to Trnava to take on Slovakia, with Gordon Strachan desperately needing a win.
Newcastle United’s Grant Hanley celebrates scoring
Unfortunately for the Scotland boss, his side were obliterated as Zeint St. Petersburg’s Robert Mak scored twice before Adam Nemec grabbed a third to hand Slovakia a thumping 3-0 victory.
The pressure is now mounting Strachan after just one win from the first three games of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, though his players deserve plenty of blame too.
Scotland’s Grant Hanley
A number of players disappointed in Trnava, and defender Grant Hanley had a particularly difficult night against the Slovakian attack.
The Newcastle summer signing, 24, was snapped up from Blackburn Rovers over the summer, but has played just three Championship games this season as he has had to settle for a place behind Jamaal Lascelles, Chancel Mbemba and Ciaran Clark.
Scotland’s Grant Hanley looks dejected
On Tuesday night, Hanley endured a difficult game, and was easily beaten in the air by Nemec as he headed home the third goal from a corner.
After the final whistle, pundit Steven Thompson spoke to BBC Sport, and criticised Hanley’s performance, suggesting that his lack of first-team football was obvious as he struggled against Slovakia.
“Badly at fault for the third goal, allowing Adam Nemec to get the better of him at a corner for a simple header. You can tell he’s not playing regularly at club level,” said Thompson.
What did you think of Hanley’s performance for Scotland?
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