Gordon Strachan’s excuse for Scotland’s World Cup failure has raised a few eyebrows

Clutching at straws

Darragh Murphy

Gordon Strachan’s excuse for Scotland’s World Cup failure has raised a few eyebrows

Spain’s national team hasn’t boasted many giants over the years, yet they seem to do quite well against direct tactics from larger opposition.

Gordon Strachan has bizarrely blamed Scotland’s genetics for their inability to reach a World Cup play-off following a 2-2 draw in Slovenia on Sunday evening.

The point leaves Scotland in third place in Group F, missing out on a runner-up spot to Slovakia on goal difference, and Strachan found himself clutching at straws in the wake of the result.

“Genetically we are behind,” Strachan said. “In the last campaign, we were the second smallest, apart from Spain.

“We had to pick a team to combat the height and strength at set-plays. Genetically we have to work at things, maybe we get big women and men together and see what we can do.

“But it is a problem for us because we have to fight harder for every ball and jump higher than anyone else.

“Nobody can tell me their technique, apart from one player, is better than any of ours. But physically we have a problem. We seem to be able to battle it and get through just with sheer determination and skill and work-rate. And that takes a lot out of you.”

Strachan refused to be drawn on his future amid suggestions that his failure to secure the Scots a place in Russia next year would result in his dismissal.

But the 60-year-old remained adamant that a size difference, rather than any tactical issues, was the reason for Sunday night’s draw.

“When you see them at the end of the game, I don’t think I have seen a group of players that exhausted and disappointed,” he added.

“As I said to them, you can go away and be really proud of yourselves because you pushed yourselves to places some maybe didn’t think they could go, because we were against a physically stronger side, a side that has never conceded a goal here.

“Against a physical side, we knew set-plays would be a problem and they scored from two set-plays. We can’t change genetics and just can’t play the biggest people in Scotland.

“Technically we are fine, but our lads have got to work harder on the ball than bigger lads who are 6ft 2in or 6ft 3in.”

It’s safe to say that supporters weren’t buying Strachan’s argument.

Strachan's genetic argument falls down the moment he picks Barry Bannan. Plus, Matt Phillips is tall.. and was shite over two games.

— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) October 8, 2017

https://twitter.com/jnicol1888/status/917143296966840320

https://twitter.com/ewenwilson_/status/917124702274977802

https://twitter.com/CBirch27/status/917103691223748608

Strachan is blaming poor qualifying campaign on the genetic makeup of Scotland??? WTF

— Denny Christison (@DennyChristison) October 8, 2017

@offtheballbbc Surely the solution to the genetic problem identified by Gordon Strachan is for Scotland to hire a taller manager?

— Football Fans Against Fascism (@Class1Action) October 8, 2017

The 'genetic' problem for Scotland, is Gordon Strachan's unbridled adulation of the English Championship…. #SCOSVN

— Colin Little (@ColinLittle86) October 8, 2017