Player ratings: The men who took Scotland to the Euros

It was a momentous night in Belgrade as Scotland put in a superb performance, only to be taken all the way by Serbia.

The Scots showed every quality that manager Steve Clarke has instilled in them since taking the reins in 2019.

Here’s how those players fared over a famous 120 minutes – plus penalties.

David Marshall 9 – Barely troubled during the match as Scotland showed the defensive solidity that has become their hallmark. Could do nothing at Jovic’s equaliser.

Stephen O’Donnell 8 – Has seized his chance and grown into this team and this level of football over the last two months. Focused and rock solid in defending the right flank.

Andrew Robertson 8 – Tireless and classy down the left. Has adapted to the demands of a different role to the one he fills at Liverpool and has grown into the captaincy. In attack and defence, an example to his teammates.

Scott McTominay 8 – After 89 flawless minutes his lapse allowed Jovic to head the leveller. His mental strength to recover, defend with backs to the wall in extra time, and then bury his penalty in the shoot out, was inspiring.

Declan Gallagher 9 – Utterly imperious at the heart of the back three. The Motherwell man has journeyed from injury call-up to undroppable rock. Marshalled Mitrovic and put his body on the line. A throwback of a performance that recalled the Scottish defensive Bravehearts of old.

Keiran Tierney 8 – So disciplined and aware of the threats swarming around him. Pressure on him to step in after missing the clean sheet performances of October but repaid the faith handsomely.

John McGinn 8 – Gave the Serbs a huge headache with his strength and ability to create space using his physicality. Snatched a forst half chance but ran his heart out and bravely demanded the ball when Scotland were on top.

Ryan Jack 9 – His best performance in a Scotland jersey, one of his best of his career. Read the Serbian passing patterns and so calm on the ball. To dictate the tempo of play for so long, against such vaunted opponents, played a huge part in making the Scots believe the game was there for them to win.

Lyndon Dykes 8 – Gave Serbia’s defence nightmares but winning every aerial duel that came is way. Ability to hold the ball in, as well as press and et in behind, is a precious commodity in the way this team plays.

Callum McGregor 8 – We are used to him playing this well for Celtic, tonight he elevated his game on the international stage. Broke up play, took men out to stretch Serbia’s shape and confident, classy passing.

Ryan Christie 9 – Grasped the opportunity and wrote himself into Scotland folklore. Ran off Dykes to consolidate territory, took players on, whipped in some great crosses and that goal. Sublime technique to put Scotland on the brink.

Oli McBurnie 6 – Tough shift to follow in Dykes’s footsteps and struggled at times to adapt to the way his teammates wanted to play to their number 9. But overcame his frustrations to stroke home one of the highest pressure penalties he will ever take.

Callum Paterson 6 – Probably introduced more for his ability to attack the ball in the air but stuck to his task, including a stint at right wing back.

Kenny McLean 6 – So calm on the ball and dug in when Scotland needed to release pressure and regroup under the late Serbian onslaught. Buried his penalty, again.

Leigh Griffiths 6 – Came on, scored the crucial first penalty of the shoot out. Job done, and will no doubt get his chance in the upcoming games to show what Scotland have missed for the last three years.