"Bless his wee Spanish heart!" McCoist laughs at Rodri after star's bitter swipe

29 March 2023 , 10:05

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Ally McCoist was quick to shoot down Rodri's claims

Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist said the irony was not lost on him after Spain midfielder Rodri complained about Scotland's physicality.

Steve Clarke's Scots stunned the three-time European champions with a 2-0 victory at Hampden Park, with Scott McTominay scoring both goals. The Man Utd midfielder now has four in two games, leaving Scotland top of group A and in good shape to qualify for Euro 2024.

Manchester City star Rodri was upset with Scotland's approach, though he admitted his side still should have done better. McCoist had little sympathy for the 26-year-old, however, as he soaked in his country's victory.

"I thought we were just a wee bit too physical for Rodri," McCoist said on talkSPORT. "We were rubbish, was that the word he used? Bless his wee Spanish heart!

"He's a good player but he can cope with the physical side of the game no bother so the irony of him talking about the physicality of Scotland is not lost on me," the former striker earlier told Viaplay.

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"That was nothing short of fantastic! It really was. And do you know something? I can say it now, I would've said it earlier, but we weren't really in any danger."

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Rodri was left frustrated by Scotland (Getty Images)

McCoist spoke to Scotland's ability to pull out a performance at home, pointing to previous victories over sides of Spain's calibre. Clarke's team went unbeaten at home in their qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup, having done the same in their efforts to reach the 2018 tournament under Gordon Strachan.

Rodri, however, was not best pleased after his team's defeat. “It’s the way they play - for me it’s a bit rubbish. It’s always wasting time, they provoke you, they always fall. For me, this is not football," he said.

"The referee has to take a part in this but he said nothing. It’s a bit frustrating because we want to win and it’s difficult because they waste time, waste time. It is what it is. They have their weapons, we have our weapons, and we will learn for next time.

Scott McTominay scored both goals as Scotland beat Spain (Getty Images)

"They played a good game, the grass is no excuse, they have their conditions," he continued. The first goal has conditioned us a lot. They they played with five behind, tightly closed. We had options, but the ball didn't go in.

"It is clear that the two that they have had have put them in. We have tried, two posts, one from a very clear set piece. We must polish those oversights, those errors that are expensive.

"The feeling is that it is one of those days that it you're doing well, but it doesn't quite come in. There are no doubts at all, we don't want to start with that please. Many things have been done well.

"The score counts, we have to improve those forgetfulness, specific errors that have penalized us. This is a collective effort."

Tom Victor