Scotland put in a determined display to secure a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their second group game of Euro 2024 on Wednesday night and maintain hope of progression to the knockout stages.
Having lost the tournament curtain-raiser 5-1 to hosts Germany, it was vital that Scotland got something from the Switzerland clash.
Che Adams is one of three Southampton players at Euro 2024 and was again the player chosen to lead the line for the Scots, who took the lead through a deflected Scott McTominay strike on 13 minutes.
However, just 13 minutes later they were pegged back to 1-1 with a loose pass from Anthony Ralston giving Xherdan Shaqiri a sniff of goal and the former Liverpool man dispatched the opportunity with aplomb.
The point means Scotland and Adams still have it all to play for in their final group game against Hungary on Sunday with a win guaranteeing their progression to the round of 16.
Scottish media rate Che Adams’ performance v Switzerland
Adams is out of contract at the end of the month, with Southampton one of at least four clubs trying to get the striker to sign a deal.
Adams is unlikely to make a decision on his future until after the Euros, but may view the tournament as a shop window as he plots his next move.
If that is the case then he is finding it difficult to shine given the lack of service he is receiving, performing the thankless task of being Scotland’s lone striker.
Adams was slightly less isolated than he had been in the previous game against Germany, though, and the Scottish national media accepted he had a difficult task in their comments on his performance against Switzerland.
The Herald rated Adams’ display a six out of ten, saying: ‘Struggled to create at the top end of the pitch, but equally didn’t receive much in the way of service.’.
The Edinburgh Evening News also gave the 27-year-old a six but were slightly more positive in their assessment, writing: ‘Pressed really well when Scotland were out of possession, had little to feed off of in attack.
Like many Scotland performances from the Southampton man it was high energy that often went unnoticed.’
The Scotsman were a little harsher in their scoring, giving Adams a five as they commented: ‘Looked sprightlier than he was against Germany.
Had a wee half-chance from a corner that he did not connect with properly. Did not see much of the ball and lacked veritable service but never stopped running.’
Stuart Armstrong yet to feature for Scotland
Stuart Armstrong is in the same position as Adams, with his Southampton contract coming to an end this summer.
However, unlike with Adams, the Saints have confirmed the 32-year-old will not be signing a new deal.
That means Armstrong’s six year stay on the south coast is coming to an end and the 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City in April in which he was stretchered off was his last game for the club.
That injury saw Armstrong miss the end of the season and the play-offs in a season in which he was pivotal to Russell Martin‘s side.
Despite his injury, Armstrong was selected by Scotland boss Steve Clarke for the Euros.
However, he is yet to feature and may not play a minute if Scotland are unable to get what they need against Hungary to progress in what has been a frustrating couple of months for the former Celtic man.