Fraser and Adams are the shining lights as sluggish Scotland succumb to stagnant draw in Tel Aviv

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Scotland were again painfully slow to get going in Israel, which has been a common theme for Steve Clarke’s men in recent fixtures.

Draws with Austria and Israel have shown that although Scotland now look a solid proposition defensively, any flowing attacking moves have been stunted by a negative formation.

Scotland lined up in their accustomed five-three-two formation, as seen below:

Scotland: Marshall (GK), O’Donnell, Robertson (c), Hendry, Hanley, Tierney, McGinn, McTominay, McGregor, Fraser, Adams.

Subs: Gordon (GK), McLaughlin (GK), Dykes, Armstrong, Christie, Fleck, Gallagher, McKenna, Nisbet, McBurnie, Considine, McLean.#ISRSCO

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 28, 2021

Debutant Che Adams and the flying Newcastle winger Ryan Fraser came in to add pace to the attack. The ever-reliable Callum MacGregor started in midfield, as Ryan Christie dropped to the bench to allow John McGinn to move into more of an advanced role.

Israel set the tone for the game early on, with excellent passing and interchanging, which was lacking from Scotland’s play.

The hosts showed their ability on the ball throughout the match, recording 591 passes, with a pass success rate of 86%. This highlighted the uncomfortable truth: Israel are simply more comfortable on the ball than Scotland.

Scotland’s biggest threat throughout was down the wings and runs into the channels. Initially, Andy Robertson and Stephen O’Donnell’s marauding runs from left-wing back caused problems, while Ryan Fraser ran the channels to good effect.

Fraser’s hard work almost paid off, as a Scotland high press led to Fraser getting down the right-wing. The Aberdonian winger’s low cross was met by the onrushing Scott McTominay, who diverted his shot high over the bar.

However, it was Israel who were dominating the possession stats and should’ve been in front after 25 minutes. Tricky winger Manor Solomon was sent in on goal after a free-flowing move involving Natcho cut Scotland’s defence apart.

Solomon looked certain to score, but the Shakhtar Donetsk wide man could only shoot straight at David Marshall. The lack of pressure on the player in possession would come back to haunt Scotland later in the match.

Southampton striker Che Adams was making his full debut and displayed many key touches throughout the game. The Saint’s hitman played two key passes, 18 passes throughout the game and displaying an impressive 77.8% pass accuracy in a game where he had little support from those around him.

A sweeping move combining McGinn, Fraser and Adams, saw Fraser play a delicate through ball. However, the pass was slightly too heavy, and Adams was always the second favourite to win the race for the ball, which Marciano gathered.

Adams’ deft flick and crisp pass accuracy was a level above the strikers in the previous campaigns. Not since the days of Kenny Miller have Scotland had such an influential forward in their build-up play.

Although Scotland started to grow into the game, Manager Steve Clarke would’ve been happy with the scores all square at the break. However, Israel had other thoughts on their mind, as Dor Peretz struck on the 44th minute.

The hosts goal came during another period of play where Scotland chose to sit back, which allowed Israel the time and space to make passes.

Former Celtic alumni, Hatem Abd Elhamed, was allowed to spray a raking pass out to the left-wing, where the ball was worked into Peretz. It seemed the Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder had an age to compose himself, before blasting a thirty-yard strike past David Marshall.

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Marshall went from hero to villain. After second viewing it looked like Marshall should’ve prevented the strike from going into the top corner, but his two-handed attempt at an acrobatic save was not enough to keep the ball out.

Steve Clarke’s tactics seemed to baffle many of the Scottish support by insisting on playing a conservative formation in a game Scotland needed to win.

A five-three-two is effective as long as the team has possession and can feed the flying wingbacks.

Despite their best efforts, Fraser and Adams were getting little service, with the ball sent into the corner and at neck height for the strikers to feed off. The two forwards selected were certainly not target men, but patience in the back three saw many long passes in the two strikers’ direction.

One issue for Clarke’s men was the forced omission of Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack. Jack excels in a defensive role, shielding the backline to good effect, but the lack of a midfielder to collect the ball from the centre back forced possession to go to the wings or in most cases go long.

Steve Clarke chose to make a substitution at half-time, with centre-back Jack Hendry not returning and Ryan Christie on to bolster the attack.

This move saw Scotland move to a four-two-three-one formation, with Christie looking to create chances from the right and Ryan Fraser retreating to his more natural left wing.

Clarke’s decision to make a change paid off on the 56th minute, with star performers Adams and Fraser involved in a timely equaliser for the visitors.

Finally, Scotland started to press Israel and Christie won the ball in midfield. McGinn then slid the ball to Adams, who broke away and fed Fraser who cut in on his right and fired past Marciano.

? Ryan Fraser with the equaliser for Scotland.#ISRSCO pic.twitter.com/kci8xQtwY2

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 28, 2021

Adams and Fraser showed the quality often displayed week in week out in the Premier League, which Scotland have been dearly missing.

Scotland’s two bright lights combined again to put Israel under more pressure. This time it was Fraser breaking down the right and getting the ball to Adams who cut in and had his shot saved by Marciano.

The Hibernian stopper displayed good ‘keeping ability and kept Israel alive in the game.

Although Scotland seemed to improve in the second half, the burst of energy displayed was lost as Clarke started to make questionable decisions.

On the 73rd minute the out of form Lyndon Dykes was brought on for Adams and Kenny McLean was brought on for McGinn.

Adams was starting to get the better of the Israel defence, despite numerous narrow offside decisions, but Clarke seems reluctant to have two natural centre-forwards on the pitch at one time.

The uninspiring substitutions did not help Scotland’s cause and they soon went back into their defensive shell.

McTominay and Christie both had chances to steal all three points but could not convert with attempted first-time finishes. It seemed Scotland lacked the emphasis to go and win the game, with a lack of pressure allowing Israel to control the final stages.

This left Scotland with only two points from a possible six, but at this early stage, it is a solid start to a difficult qualifying group.

Scotland face the Faroe Islands at Hampden Park on Wednesday night, hoping for a free-scoring display to go with a much needed three points.

Steve Clarke had this to say on the disappointing draw in Tel Aviv:

“We are disappointed. We didn’t start well. We were disappointed to lose the goal before half-time, but the players showed good character.

“Two points from two games – let’s see what happens later in the group. I can’t foresee the future.”

Scotland have learnt in the past that points on the board early on are vital but in a season disrupted and a late time of travel to Israel, a point may not be a disaster for Clarke’s men.

See full highlights from last nights draw here:

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