The 120 days that passed between Scotland opening Euro 2024 and this encounter in Zagreb have been chastening for Steve Clarke. A tame exit from those finals followed by a poor start to the Nations League has seen patience towards the Scotland manager wear thin. One win in 14 became one win in 15 courtesy of this Croatia victory but the circumstances attached were particularly sore for Scotland. With the last kick of the ball, Ché Adams believed he had snatched a point. Enter the video assistant referee, who ruled out the goal for offside. Clarke, briefly jubilant, cut an understandably despondent figure.

Should Scotland’s run ­continue until the end of this section, there will be questions raised over Clarke’s suitability to lead his ­country into World Cup qualifying. That may seem unduly harsh – this is a ­manager not only painfully short on resource but one who has guided Scotland to ­consecutive European Championships – but is the law of this particular jungle.