Covid put a dampener on Zander Clark’s previous big Hampden Park appearances. But the goalkeeper was never going to allow a mild outbreak of criticism pour cold water on his first Scotland appearance at the national stadium on Sunday night.Clark had waited a lifetime to live the dream - and two-and-a-half years to experience the Hampden roar after the pandemic meant his part in St Johnstone’s cup double fairytale in 2021 was played out in front of empty stands.
Given that backdrop a lap of honour would have been as ridiculous as the odds Saints had overcome to lift the League Cup and Scottish Cup thanks to 1-0 wins over Livingston and Hibs.
So it was no surprise to see Clark at the centre of the celebratory circuit of the ground that followed the 3-3 draw with Norway.As he did there were already snipers aiming their sights on the Hearts keeper for his part in conceding five goals across the two draws that concluded the successful Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Those raw stats compared against the previous six Group A games that had seen Angus Gunn keep four clean sheets and concede just three goals might seem alarming.
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