TOO BRAD TO BE BE TRUE

Conor's goal after Dutch defeat was when pain really kicked in for Scots

- KEITH JACKSON

THEY say sometimes it's darkest just before the dawn. Well, let's hope they know what they're talking about.

Because what went on here at Hampden last night felt depressingly bleak and, yes let's be honest, more than a little concerning now Scotland are so close to embarking on their German odyssey this summer.

If going down by four goals against the Dutch felt like a numbing experience on Friday night then this is when the pain really registered.

Losing at home to a Northern Ireland side which is so limited for top-level talent it finished the game with Josh Magennis leading the line.

Losing skipper Andy Robertson to a worrying looking injury in the process during a dreadful performance, lacking in all of the energy, imagination and craft that at least mitigated the embarrassing nature of that scoreline in Amsterdam.

And slamming the tin lid on a run of seven games without a win that has sucked the wind out of Scotland's sails at the most inconvenient moment.

Steve Clarke may well have endured worse nights in his five years as national boss. But it felt hard to think of any from the moment Liverpool kid Conor Bradley lashed the visitors into a lead they never looked like giving up.

Clarke had hinted heavily he'd limit the number of changes to his starting XI following that late collapse in Holland. And he was as good as his word.

Lyndon Dykes was given the nod to lead his attack, having been left on the bench for 90 minutes in Amsterdam, and Liam Cooper replaced Ryan Porteous in a move that meant Jack Hendry was shifted out onto the righthand side of the manager's three-man central defence.