Ryan Christie: Scotland hero wants Euro 2020 party after “horrible year” for everyone

Christie looked to have sealed a place at Euro 2020 when he spun on the edge of the box and rifling the ball home off the post early in the second half, delivering a 12/1 first goalscorer win for Sporting Life followers.

But with Scotland moments from sealing their place at next summer’s finals, Luka Jovic headed home a stoppage-time equaliser and sent the game to extra-time.

With no more goals through 30 torturous minutes of extra time, the Scots were faced with another shootout.

It was left to David Marshall to make himself Scotland’s penalty saviour for a second qualifier in succession as he turned away Aleksandar Mitrovic’s final kick to end 22 years of pain and send Steve Clarke’s men to the Euros after a 5-4 win on penalties.

A tearful Ryan Christie told Sky Sports: “It’s an amazing night. From the start we believed. Obviously from the last couple of camps we’ve picked up so much belief in each other.

“The way we conceded that late equaliser but still managed to dig in and get through on penalties away from home with big Marsh making the save again is amazing, unbelievable.

“Watching the penalties is not nice. When you’re on the pitch you feel you can impact it but the moment you’re off you can’t watch it. It’s horrible. Those penalties are probably the worst thing I’ve ever been through.

“That’s for all the nation. It’s been a horrible year for everyone. I hope everyone back home is having a party tonight. That’s the monkey off the back tonight.”