Nevin Calls for Grit as Scotland Faces Portugal in Nations League Showdown:
As Scotland prepares to take on Portugal in a crucial Nations League A fixture, former Scottish winger Pat Nevin has urged the team to embrace an “ugly” style of play to counter the “beautiful” football of Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates. This match, taking place at Hampden Park, will see a Scottish team struggling to find form, but Nevin believes they have a chance to upset the Portuguese side if they adopt a gritty, determined approach. For Nevin, it’s not just about style—it’s about finding a way to win against a star-studded team, even if it means playing unattractively.
Embracing the Ugly Side of Football
Nevin, who earned 28 caps for Scotland and scored five international goals, has always been known for his technical skills and flair on the field. However, his advice to the current squad contrasts sharply with his own playing style. As he sees it, Scotland can’t afford to play a beautiful game against a technically superior Portuguese side that boasts world-class talent, particularly in attack.
“There’s an understanding and acceptance among Scottish football fans that when you see real quality, as long as they’re not diving about and throwing themselves to the ground, it’s accepted, it’s applauded, and it’s admired,” Nevin told BBC Scotland.
His point is clear: Scotland fans are realistic. They know the team doesn’t possess the same technical brilliance as Portugal. The Tartan Army, Scotland’s passionate fanbase, can admire the skill of players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Bruno Fernandes, but at the end of the day, what they want is a win for Scotland.
“There are a hell of a lot of players to admire in this Portugal team, particularly from middle to front. Scotland fans, go along, get behind the team and you just never know—be ugly to play against, even if they’re being beautiful,” Nevin added.
The Challenge Facing Scotland
Scotland is currently in a difficult spot. The national team has not won a competitive match in over a year, and their Nations League campaign has been underwhelming. For head coach Steve Clarke, pressure is mounting, even though he has led Scotland to two major tournament qualifications in recent years—UEFA Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
Despite their struggles, Nevin believes the players still have faith in Clarke’s methods and remain optimistic about their development. He sees hope in their progress, but he’s aware that the fans’ patience won’t last forever.
“I don’t think the players are a problem, I honestly don’t. I don’t think Clarke’s a problem,” Nevin said. “I think keeping the fans on board is hard, but they’ve been generally pretty good.”
Nevin acknowledges that while some sections of the Scottish fanbase are frustrated and calling for change, the majority of fans understand that Clarke has delivered results in the past. Scotland, under Clarke, ended their 23-year absence from major tournaments by qualifying for Euro 2020, and the team came close to securing a spot in the 2022 World Cup.
“Some fans don’t want it and are saying, ‘get somebody else in,’ but the vast majority of the Tartan Army seem to understand that if you’ve qualified for two out of the last three major tournaments, the stock’s there—it’s fine,” Nevin said, referencing Clarke’s previous successes. However, he also noted that time may be running out for Clarke to turn things around.
Nevin’s Call for Change
As Scotland prepares to face Portugal, Nevin pointed out that the team cannot afford any more heavy defeats, like the ones suffered against Germany and France in recent friendlies. While those were not competitive matches, they still raised alarm bells about the team’s ability to compete with Europe’s elite.
“The problem [Clarke’s] got is if this keeps on going. If one or two hidings start appearing again, as we saw against Germany and in the friendly against France,” Nevin warned. “You don’t want that to keep on happening. Something has to slightly change. It would be nice if it changed against Portugal.”
Nevin’s suggestion to “be ugly” on the pitch means adopting a pragmatic, hard-nosed style that prioritizes defensive solidity and frustrates Portugal’s attacking rhythm. He believes that this kind of approach could help Scotland grind out a result, even if it’s not pretty to watch. For Scotland, facing a team with the attacking firepower of Portugal, such a strategy might be their best shot at avoiding another disappointing result.
The Beauty of Portugal
Portugal, meanwhile, comes into the match brimming with confidence. Led by captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to be a key figure for his country, the team is stacked with talent across the pitch. From Ronaldo’s goal-scoring prowess to Bruno Fernandes’ creativity in midfield and Ruben Dias’ leadership at the back, Portugal presents a formidable challenge for any opponent.
Nevin recognizes the quality that Portugal brings and emphasizes that there’s no shame in acknowledging it. “When you see real quality, as long as they’re not diving about, it’s accepted, it’s applauded, it’s admired,” he said. For Scotland to have a chance, they must respect Portugal’s skill, but not be overwhelmed by it.
Fan Expectations and Patience
One of the key issues facing Steve Clarke is the balance between realistic expectations and fan patience. While the Tartan Army has been relatively supportive, having seen the team qualify for two major tournaments under Clarke, their patience is wearing thin due to the lack of recent wins. Nevin believes the fans will give Clarke some leeway because of his past success, but that could change quickly if results don’t improve.
“You can see that the vast majority of fans kind of get it,” Nevin said. “Clarke’s been given a little bit of time. The problem he’s got is if this keeps on going.”
Nevin’s concern is that if Scotland suffers more heavy defeats, like the recent games against Germany and France, fan support could dwindle. The game against Portugal, therefore, represents an important opportunity for Clarke and his team to show they can still compete at the highest level.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Scotland
The match against Portugal is not just another Nations League fixture for Scotland—it’s a potential turning point. If Scotland can find a way to frustrate Portugal’s beautiful football and play an “ugly” game, as Nevin suggests, they might just pull off an upset that could reignite belief in Steve Clarke’s project. However, if they suffer another heavy defeat, the calls for change could grow louder, putting Clarke’s position in jeopardy.
Nevin’s advice to the team is simple but profound: sometimes, to achieve something special, you have to embrace the ugly side of football, especially when facing a team as technically gifted as Portugal. Whether Scotland can execute that plan and deliver a memorable performance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the Tartan Army will be behind them every step of the way.
