Flawed but relentless Scotland show themselves as men of substance

Clarke’s master plan, so to speak, was to play Kieran Tierney in front of Robertson on the left, two hugely experienced operators who would deal with the threat of Hakimi and Brahim Diaz.

Of course it’s a risk. And so much for the thought behind it. Just over a minute passed – Diaz’s assist, Ismael Saibari’s goal, the nightmare scenario come true.

Traffic cone attendants weren’t about to let such trivial issues ruin their day.

There was a ghostly look on everyone, their noise and passion turned into soft moans, the lustful pride they displayed in another impressive rendition of the Flower of Scotland gave way to screams as Morocco spiraled out of control.

Or threatened to go crazy. It took them seventy seconds to score. They looked like cultured fighters for much of the first half, turning a deaf ear to an over-compliant opponent, upending the punching bags with their movements before what felt like an inevitable knockout.

Scotland was on the ropes, covering up and praying for the punishment to stop. And it happened, minute by minute.

Morocco’s intensity was great for half an hour and they could have been two or three ahead by then but it wasn’t to be. They are great football players, they are very pleasing to the eye, but they are not cruel, they are not murderers. Scotland’s resilience has kept them in it.

When Morocco’s energy began to run out, it turned into competition.

Scotland finished the first half strongly, their self-confidence increased, and the worried looks on their fans’ faces were replaced by a blessed hope.