Clueless, Embarrassing and Full of Loser’s Mentality!” Celtic Player Savaged by Ex-Scottish Star After Scotland’s 3–2 Athens Collapse

A former Scotland international has delivered a scathing verdict on the national team following their dramatic 3–2 defeat to Greece in Athens and singled out a Celtic player for what he described as a “clueless, embarrassing and full of loser’s mentality” performance.

The defeat, which saw Scotland surrender a loss in the closing stages, leaves their hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup hanging by a thread. While the result is damaging enough, it is the manner of the collapse and the individual errors of the Celtic player that have sparked intense criticism.

The ex-Scotland midfielder, widely regarded as a legend of the national team, did not mince his words in his post-match analysis, lambasting both the squad’s mentality and the Celtic player’s contribution.

“I don’t rate it at all,” he said. “You can scream and shout at me all you like, but that was a loser’s mentality from the first whistle. And that Celtic lad? Clueless. Embarrassing. Full of a loser’s mentality. Completely exposed at crucial moments and costing the team dearly.”

Fans quickly identified the Celtic player in question, who had been deployed in an unfamiliar defensive role rather than his usual midfield position. Throughout the match, he struggled to adapt, losing possession in dangerous areas, failing to track runners, and being directly involved in Greece’s goals.

The former Scotland international was blunt about the cause of the collapse:

“This wasn’t about talent. It was about mentality. You have the players to compete with the best, yet you see a team that plays scared, hoping for luck. That’s not elite football. That’s not how winners behave. And when your best player on the pitch a Celtic star looks lost in a role he’s never played before, it compounds the problem.”

Celtic Player at the Heart of the Storm

Much of the post-match discussion has focused on the Celtic player, whose struggles highlighted Scotland’s vulnerability. Asked to operate in a defensive role, he appeared hesitant, misjudged key runs, and was repeatedly bypassed by Greek attackers. His positioning errors contributed directly to Greece’s second-half goals, with one late misplaced pass leading to the move that sealed the 3–2 defeat.

Social media reaction was swift. One fan wrote:

“He’s never a defensive player. Totally clueless. Totally embarrassing.”

Another added:

“This isn’t all on him Clarke put him there. But at this level, you can’t be lost on the pitch. That’s a mental failure.”

The ex-Scotland legend emphasized that responsibility lay with both the player and the team’s mindset:

> “You’re representing your country. Step up. Adapt. Don’t look lost. Don’t be part of the reason the team collapses. That’s what separates good players from great ones.”

Clarke’s Approach Comes Under Scrutiny

Steve Clarke has been widely praised for stabilizing Scotland, guiding them to back-to-back major tournament qualifications and building a culture of resilience. Yet, critics argue that cautious game management and conservative positioning leave the team vulnerable, particularly when opponents press high or exploit mistakes.

This team has improved enormously under Clarke,” the ex-international acknowledged. “But mentality hasn’t. They still act like underdogs even when they’re superior on paper. You can’t win games by defending for 40 minutes when you’re capable of so much more.”

Fans Divided Over Blame

Supporters’ reactions were split. Some defended Clarke, pointing to the tactical challenge of deploying a player out of position, while others agreed with the legend, highlighting repeated lapses in concentration and composure.

“It’s harsh on the Celtic player, but Clarke asked him to do a job he’s not used to,” wrote one fan.

“This wasn’t bad luck. It was an embarrassment, and the Celtic player was central to it,” commented another.

Denmark Fixture Now Crucial

Scotland now face a pivotal home match against Denmark. A win could restore confidence and silence critics, while another narrow or chaotic performance could intensify scrutiny of Clarke’s tactics, player selection, and the squad’s mentality.

The ex-Scotland star concluded his analysis with a stark warning:

You can’t talk about qualifying for World Cups and then play scared football. You can’t put players in positions they aren’t ready for and hope it works out. Scotland need to stop being grateful just to compete and start thinking and acting like winners.”

For Clarke, the Celtic player, and the rest of the squad, the next 90 minutes at Hampden Park will be a chance to prove whether Athens was a humiliating one-off or a symptom of deeper issues.