International week is always a contentious time with Steve Clarke certain to upset somebody with his Scotland team selection.
As has been the case over recent years, a target for criticism this time was Grant Hanley.
The Hibs player and Scotland Hall of Famer suffers from the old adage ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ and folk are quick to question his inclusion in the national team.
Hanley, for his part, took the opportunity to show exactly why he was picked with an outstanding performance against Denmark.
The big centre-half strolled the game and played a huge part in Scotland’s clean sheet. His performance will have given David Gray food for thought on how to start him in games for Hibs without upsetting a decent looking backline.
Scotland failed to score against Denmark, and I can’t be the only Hibee wondering why Kieron Bowie didn’t feature in Copenhagen or in the 2-0 victory over Belarus.
The young striker has been outstanding for Hibs and offers a goal threat that the current incumbents don’t possess.
Bowie will lead Hibs’ hopes this weekend as domestic action resumes with the visit of Dundee United. It’s another tough test for Gray’s side, but one we can take three points from.
We were deprived of a further two points (on the assumption we’d have scored the penalty) after being denied a late spot-kick last time out against St Mirren, a decision now deemed incorrect by the SFA’s key match incidents panel.
Hopefully the players feel frustrated about that and take it out on United, where I hope to see the game decided on what the players, rather than the officials, do.
You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast.
