Scotland suffered a 0-1 defeat against Northern Ireland, with Conor Bradley scoring the winning goal. This loss adds to Scotland’s setbacks in their preparations for Euro 2024.

Conor Bradley was the hero for Northern Ireland as he scored the only goal in their surprising 1-0 victory over Scotland at Hampden Park. The Liverpool right-back’s deflected strike in the 32nd minute proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Despite dominating possession, Scotland struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the game. The closest they came to scoring was Scott McTominay’s long-range effort just before half-time and Lawrence Shankland’s blocked shot in the 79th minute.

In the dying moments of the match, Scotland substitutes Stuart Armstrong, Che Adams, and Lewis Ferguson combined well, forcing Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell into a fine reflex save. Shankland also had a chance to equalize, but his header went over the crossbar.

The lack of cutting edge in Scotland’s attack was a talking point from the match. With both Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney, their best players in recent years, being left-backs, it is difficult to fit them both into the team without playing a back three. Scotland needed more creativity and penetration to break down Northern Ireland’s defensive setup.

Conor Bradley was named the player of the match for his performance. The 20-year-old right-back, who played in a more disciplined role in midfield, took his chance to shine with his goal. Although he had limited touches, he showcased his quality with his direct running, intricate passing, and a touch of class for his goal.

Player ratings for both teams were relatively average, with no standout performances apart from Bradley. The match highlights included Bradley’s goal, a missed opportunity by Shea Charles, a crucial block by Brodie Spencer, and Peacock-Farrell’s impressive save.

Overall, Northern Ireland’s victory was a surprise result, and Scotland’s lack of attacking prowess was evident. It remains to be seen how this performance will affect Scotland in future matches, especially in crucial moments at major tournaments.