Steve Clarke rinses VAR after 'soft' France penalty as Scotland boss ask why the ref 'wasn't strong enough'
Steve Clarke reckons his Scotland side's task in France was made more difficult by a 'soft' penalty and unnecessary VAR intervention
The Scots boss said pre-match his experimental side would learn from the glamour friendly and learn they did. But Billy Gilmour marked his first senior goal when Eduardo Camavinga made an error to put the Tartan Army in to delirium. The floodgates then opened with Benjamin Pavard netting a double and Kylian Mbappe hitting his customary goal before Kingsley Coman seal the deal in Lille.
But after the high of Euro 2024 qualification, Clarke believes a referee decision made the already daunting task of taking on Didier Deschamps world beaters even harder. He told Viaplay Sports: "The third goal probably kills the game and it's a really soft penalty decision. I don't know why VAR have to get involved, why the referee was not strong enough to say 'I'll stick with my original decision' and let play go on...then it comes difficult.
"The main aim tonight was to win, perform well and with the ball. It's the best we've played against a Pot one team but we didn't create enough high up the pitch until late in the game..In terms of a dent in confidence? It's a different kettle of fish next month. Going to Georgia now we should be confident. We want six points from the last two games, we've told them that."
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