Paul Merson Blasts Scotland Squad After 3–2 Loss to Greece, Calls for Major Selection Changes

Scotland’s 3–2 defeat to Greece has triggered fresh criticism and renewed scrutiny of Steve Clarke’s preparations ahead of the upcoming FIFA qualifiers. Despite a spirited second-half fightback, Scotland once again found themselves punished for avoidable defensive mistakes, sluggish reactions, and a lack of control in key phases of the match.

Goals from A. Bakasetas (7’), K. Karetsas (57’) and C. Tzolis (63’) put Greece firmly in control before Scotland responded through Ben Doak (65’) and Ryan Christie (70’). The scoreline, however, did little to hide the underlying concerns that have followed Scotland in recent months, leading to a fierce post-match reaction from former England international and outspoken pundit Paul Merson.

Merson’s comments were particularly scathing as he questioned Scotland’s organisation, commitment, and tactical structure. He expressed disbelief at the early goal conceded, criticising the defence for failing to deal with what he described as “bread-and-butter situations.” But beyond general errors, Merson insisted that Clarke’s team selection lacked balance and stability before finally naming the players he believes Scotland should be building around: Callum McGregor and James Forrest. According to Merson, these two should be permanent fixtures in the starting XI due to their experience, composure, and ability to influence matches when the team is under pressure.

“Scotland were chaotic for long spells,” Merson said on the post-match panel. “There’s no control, no leadership on the pitch when the game starts going against them. You can’t concede goals like that at international level. You need players who understand tempo, who calm things down, who step up in the big moments and Scotland didn’t have enough of that tonight.”

He argued that Clarke must stop experimenting with unproven options and instead rely on players who consistently deliver at club level and have a strong understanding of high-pressure environments. McGregor, he said, brings composure and tactical intelligence, while Forrest offers reliability, movement, and end product that Scotland lacked in the early stages of the match.

A Disastrous Start and Familiar Issues

Scotland’s problems began early. In just the seventh minute, Bakasetas found space inside the box after Scotland failed to clear a routine ball. The Greek captain fired low into the corner, punishing hesitant defending. That early setback left Scotland scrambling for control, with the midfield struggling to hold possession and link play into attacking areas.

The second half brought little immediate improvement. Greece doubled their lead when Karetsas reacted quickest to a loose ball, again highlighting Scotland’s slow defensive reactions. Moments later, Tzolis made it 3–0 after running untracked through midfield a moment that drew one of Merson’s sharpest criticisms. “At this level, you cannot let runners go like that,” he said. “It was too easy.”

A Brief but Encouraging Fightback

Despite the disappointing start, Scotland showed impressive character in their response. The introduction of Ben Doak changed the tempo of the game instantly. Just two minutes after coming on, the young winger burst into the box and finished with confidence to pull one back.

Ryan Christie added a second soon afterward, capitalising on defensive hesitation from the Greek back line. With 20 minutes remaining, Scotland looked revitalised and pushed hard for an equaliser. However, despite creating several promising openings, the damage from the earlier defensive collapses proved too much to overcome.

Clarke Under Pressure to Settle on a Core Squad

With the qualifiers approaching, Merson’s comments reflect a wider debate among Scotland supporters: Should Clarke continue experimenting, or is it time to lean on experience? The manager has used recent friendlies to test new combinations, but the lack of consistency in performances has left fans uncertain about Scotland’s readiness.

Merson argued that Clarke must now “draw a line” under the rotation and trust players who have delivered season after season at club level. He emphasised that Scotland’s most successful periods have come when the team relied on a strong, settled spine something he claims has been missing in recent matches.

What Comes Next?

Clarke, speaking after the match, acknowledged the issues but stressed that these fixtures are part of a broader plan to build depth and competition within the squad. While he welcomed the late fightback, he admitted that Scotland must “start games with far greater intensity and organisation.”

The coming weeks will reveal whether Clarke adjusts his approach and restores experienced players to his core lineup. What is clear is that Scotland cannot afford to repeat the defensive lapses that overshadowed their performance against Greece.

As Merson bluntly summarised: “If Scotland play like that in the qualifiers, they’re going to struggle. Something has to change and it has to change now.”