Clarke: Scotland earned their luck in 'deserved' draw with Portugal

Steve Clarke says Scotland earned a “well deserved” point in the 0-0 draw with Portugal at Hampden.

The national team got their first point of the Nations League campaign at Hampden on Tuesday after withstanding long periods of pressure from the visitors.

After suffering more than their fair share of late defeats in recent games the manager insists no one could deny them a bit of good fortune.

Clarke also believes getting a draw against the team ranked eighth in the world will bring more confidence into his players for the challenges ahead.

Speaking after the game he said: “Getting a point was important for us, after the work we’ve put into the group it is nice to get off the mark.

“We were defensively sound, the shape of the team was good, we denied a lot of space in behind which led to Portugal playing a lot of game in front of us, good concentration in the box, we defended calmly at times, had some very good blocks and that’s what you have to do against a team like Portugal.

“When we needed a couple of big saves our goalkeeper was there to do it as well, everybody contributed to what is a well-earned point.

“I don’t think we were lacking confidence, but tonight’s point against one of Europe’s best ranked sides will give us even more confidence going into November’s games.

“And we will go into those games determined to get more points on the board.

“Maybe tonight we were a little bit fortunate, but no one can deny us a bit of good fortune because we have worked ever so hard to get that break.

“We worked hard to get the breaks and a well deserved point.”

It’s Croatia at Hampden up next for Scotland before they end their Nations League campaign away to Poland next month.