Liam Cooper clocked up his sixth cap for Scotland on Monday as Scotland made their first game at a major tournament for 23 years. Steve Clarke’s side faced the Czech Republic but ultimately failed to prevent a defeat, losing 2-0. Cooper was given different ratings by the Record, and the Sun.
Cooper, 29, was drafted in as a last-minute replacement for Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney. The Gunners ace has suffered a thigh strain and was replaced by the Leeds skipper on the left of a back three. Ultimately, it did not work for Scotland, who lost 2-0 at Hampden Park.
Patrik Schick was the difference. He put his side 1-0 up in the first half with a brilliant header after Scotland failed to deal with a set-piece. The Bayer Leverkusen striker’s second was a moment of pure genius – lashing a left-footed effort past David Marshall from the halfway line.
What has been said about Cooper and his performance for Scotland?
In player ratings posted after the game, the Daily Record and the Scottish Sun gave differing opinions . The Record say he was beaten in the air, rating him with a five. The Sun gave him a much nicer seven, labelling him as calm.
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The Sun, 7: “Only sixth cap, left side of a back three and he was accomplished. Calm, steady, did little wrong but could still lose his place if Tierney’s fit for Wembley.”
The Record, 5: “Drafted in after Kieran Tierney missed out. Although he’s a different type of defender, he never looked out of place in the back three. Tried to build from the back without much fuss. But also beaten in the air as the Czechs got their head in front.”
