Scotland undone by Patrik Schick genius in defeat by Czech Republic

It turns out there is an upside to not qualifying for anything for 23 years. It spares a team and a nation deflation and crushing anti-climax in front of an audience of millions. And when a team’s moments of weakness are ruthlessly punished it means the stakes are lesser than, say, a country’s most important game in almost a quarter of a century.

Scotland revelled in being back at the top table, make no mistake about that. Hampden throbbed with excitement and anticipation. But their spirited, hard-working side received a brutal lesson in finishing from the Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick. This stylish, clinical Bayer Leverkusen forward made Scotland’s multiple efforts look enthusiastic but clumsy and inadequate. Steve Clarke’s men created plenty of chances and they