Lewis Ferguson acknowledged that lots of the Scotland squad had had lengthy home seasons, however stated it was no excuse after their 3-1 pleasant defeat to Iceland on Friday.
Scotland got here into the sport in quest of a confidence-boosting consequence forward of their pleasant with Liechtenstein later this week, however have been booed off at Hampden Park.
Andri Gudjohnsen opened the scoring with a high-quality end from simply exterior the field eight minutes in, choosing out the highest nook with a surprising strike that clipped the crossbar on its method in.
Scotland levelled within the twenty fifth minute by John Souttar however discovered themselves behind on the stroke of half-time when Lewis Ferguson was his personal internet from shut vary.
Victor Palsson sealed the win seven minutes after the restart, powering a thumping header from Albert Gudmundsson’s teasing free-kick past the grasp of Cieran Slicker.
Scotland have now misplaced 12 of their final 21 matches in all competitions (W4 D5). For the reason that date of the primary loss on this run, that’s as many defeats as San Marino have suffered.
“It’s been a protracted season for lots of the lads, however we’re right here to do a job,” Ferguson advised BBC Radio Scotland.
“We got down to win the sport, however we’re nowhere close to the usual we, or anyone, anticipate.
“We set our requirements fairly excessive, and we have been nowhere close to that. We conceded sloppy targets from set items, and that’s simply not ok; it offers us an excessive amount of to do.”
Scotland’s issues weren’t helped when goalkeeper Angus Gunn was compelled off after simply seven minutes and was changed by debutant Slicker.
The 22-year-old was on the pitch for 64 seconds earlier than his poor kick out was intercepted, funnelled ahead, and rattled into the roof of his internet by Gudjohnsen.
And talking after the sport, Scotland boss Steve Clarke conceded that whereas his fingers have been tied, a global debut was too quickly for Slicker.
“It was disappointing. The evening didn’t get off to an excellent begin,” Clarke added. “We misplaced our goalie and compounded that by conceding the primary objective.
“It’s troublesome for Cieran, I actually really feel for him. He acquired thrown right into a state of affairs that he wasn’t fairly prepared for, however Craig Gordon’s injured, Liam Kelly’s injured, Zander Clark is injured.
“It’s one thing I assumed would possibly come again to chunk us. The one good factor is it got here in a pleasant match.
“In the event you get injured within the first couple of minutes, and then you definitely come off, I’d think about [Angus Gunn] received’t play the subsequent recreation.
“I’ve had younger Callan McKenna within the squad, so he’ll journey, then we’ll take a look and see if we will discover one other one in Scotland who’s not on vacation.”
Clarke echoed the phrases of Ferguson following the full-time whistle, conceding his crew seemed flat through the recreation.
“I’m not so positive it was an excessive amount of to do with the form, we simply seemed a bit bit flat at occasions, even once we acquired again within the recreation,” Clarke stated.
“We made their goalkeeper work a number of occasions. On one other evening, possibly you get these completed, and it will be a distinct story.
“In two days’ time we’re going to Liechtenstein, so hopefully we’ll get a efficiency.”