Ally McCoist: ‘I’m excited by future of Scotland team post Euro 2020’

Our Matchday Squad journalist believes Scotland will be back at a major tournament soon

We missed a trick in the opening game against Czech Republic. That was our best opportunity to pick up three points. I thought we should have played two strikers and had more of a threat up front.

When we lost the first game, it put us in the situation where we had to win one of the two remaining games. As well as we played against England at Wembley, it wasn’t enough.

I thought Croatia were excellent against us last night. They put in their best performance of the tournament so far and sadly we were unable to match that. They are going to be a dangerous side for anyone in the knock-out stages.

It won’t be 23 years until we are back at a major tournament

It was great to be back involved in a major tournament after 23 years. The supporters got right behind us. The atmosphere at Hampden Park last night was magical.

I am very hopeful with this new generation of Scottish players coming through. We obviously have Robertson, Tierney and McTominay, but then add in Gilmour, Turnbull and Patterson, who are going to keep on getting more experience, I don’t think it will be another 23 years before we are back at a big tournament.

It was a little unfortunate that Gilmour could not be part of that last game as he was a certainty to start following his performance against England. The experience all the lads have got is invaluable. Even the ones who did not play. They have gone through the whole process of what is involved in these tournaments.

There is now real quality in this Scotland squad

Some of these Scottish players are now playing for the biggest clubs in England. They are doing that as they are very good players. We have improved massively over the last few years in terms of the quality we are able to field for the national team.