Take His Shirt Off Him. Scotland Supporter Slams Shameless Player After Missing Two Big Chances in Tense First Half
Hampden Park has witnessed some wild nights, but this World Cup qualifier between Scotland and Denmark has delivered a level of chaos, frustration, and emotion that even the most seasoned Tartan Army members might struggle to put into words. As the match ticks into the eighty second minute, the score sits at two two and the home support has gone from elation to fury and back again as the drama unfolds.
Scotland made the dream start. With barely three minutes on the clock, Scott McTominay pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and powered home the opener, sending Hampden roaring. For a moment it felt like the perfect platform for a confident and controlled home performance. But as ever with this Scotland side, nothing is simple and nothing is calm for long.
The early goal did little to soften the mood toward one under pressure attacker whose performance has become a lightning rod for fan frustration. Only midway through the first half supporters were already venting their anger after two gilt edged chances went begging. The criticism intensified online, where one furious fan shouted Take his shirt off him after another heavy touch halted a promising counterattack. By the third paragraph of any report he becomes unavoidable and so the focus turns to Ben Doak, the former Celtic prospect whose evening has unravelled under the weight of expectation and the relentless pace of the match. Despite his undeniable talent and blistering speed, this qualifier has been a harsh reminder that international football demands more than raw potential.
The frustration has been amplified by the stakes. With both sides battling for crucial points in a tight qualifying group, every chance matters and every mistake risks swinging momentum. Earlier in the match Doak twice found himself through on goal but slashed one effort wide before firing straight at the keeper moments later. Hampden groaned, and coach Steve Clarke was visibly distressed in the technical area. Fans in the stands began calling for immediate action, demanding Clarke step in and make what they described as a necessary change before Denmark found their rhythm.
Their fears proved justified. Slowly but steadily Denmark grew into the game and they were rewarded in the fifty seventh minute when Rasmus Hojlund converted from the penalty spot after a clumsy defensive challenge in the box. The equaliser sucked the energy out of the home crowd and turned every misplaced pass into a lightning rod for blame. Doak in particular found himself the target of even louder frustration, with supporters accusing him of being too wasteful in the final third. By the hour mark Hampden was boiling.
But Scotland are nothing if not stubborn. They rallied again, pressing with renewed urgency and giving their visitors the type of frantic, uncomfortable atmosphere that has undone many teams before. The reward arrived in the seventy eighth minute when Lawrence Shankland climbed above his marker to nod home a beautifully floated cross. Hampden erupted again, promising a dramatic and potentially vital victory.
Yet the drama refused to end there. Denmark hit back almost immediately as P Dorgu whipped in a curling effort in the eighty second minute that nestled into the far corner to level the score at two two once again. The roar of frustration inside Hampden was instant and fierce. Once more the conversation returned to missed Scottish chances from earlier in the game and once more supporters turned their fury toward the young winger who had failed to bury them.
Despite the criticism, it is clear that Ben Doak remains one of Scotland’s most exciting long term prospects. His pace continues to terrify defenders and he stretches back lines in ways few others in the squad can. But this qualifier has shown that the international stage can be unforgiving and supporters, desperate for World Cup qualification, have little patience when opportunities are lost.
With the match still in progress in the eighty second minute and everything on the line, Steve Clarke faces a monumental decision. Keep faith in his young talent or bow to the demands of the crowd and make a change for the final push. As things stand the tension inside Hampden is almost unbearable and every touch of the ball feels like it could define the night.
One thing is certain. Whether this ends in heartbreak or a late burst of glory, this qualifier will be remembered for its chaos, its intensity, and the spotlight placed on a young former Celtic player learning the brutal demands of international football in real time. Scotland have eight minutes plus stoppage time to turn fury into triumph.
