Schick’s spell at Rome came ‘too early’ in his career (Photo: Getty) Monday’s win over Scotland at Hampden Park in their Euro 2020 opener was the first tournament success the Czechs had enjoyed since beating Poland at Euro 2012. It wasn’t the right move at the right time.” “He had a modest start with us at Sparta and then on loan at Bohemians, but then going to Serie A came too soon. “It’s something that more young players in our country should be ready to embrace. “Patrik is very, very intelligent, but his progress has been very step-by-step,” says Holoubek. Strong and tall, he stood out from his first days at the club, but his success has by and large been a surprise to those who knew him then. Scotland now face England at Wembley on Friday night.Schick first came to Sparta aged 11. The Scots kept plugging away but Marshall had to make a good save from substitute Michael Krmencik to prevent a third and from the pre-match cheers, came the post-match disappointment. Scotland rallied once more but Vaclik made two key saves from Dykes which prevented Clarke's side getting a lifeline, while Armstrong's deflected shot ended up on the top of the net.Ĭlarke changed it up again in the 67th minute, bringing on Ryan Fraser and Callum McGregor for Armstrong and Hendry before Kevin Nisbet and James Forrest came on for O'Donnell and Dykes. The Tartan Army were stunned, the few dozen Czech fans ecstatic. Then, as the Scots kept up the pressure, they found themselves two down from a Czech break when Schick beat the backtracking Marshall with a remarkable shot from just inside Scotland's half. Scotland fought back and defender Jack Hendry clipped the top of the bar from 20 yards before Vaclik had to claw away a wayward clearance from his own defender Tomas Kalas that was goal-bound. Scotland's David Marshall can't keep Patrick Schick's effort out (Image: Getty Images)Īdams replaced Christie for the start of the second half but it was the Czechs who drove forward for a second goal, with Marshall making good saves from Schick and Vladimir Darida. The Czechs were the more comfortable side but in the 31st minute Christie got on the end of a loose ball and set up the unmarked Robertson on the left, only for his rising drive from 20 yards to be tipped over the bar by keeper Tomas Vaclik, with the corner defended.Ĭzechs forced three consecutive corners of their own before Schick rose above defenders Grant Hanley and Cooper to head in a cross from Vladimir Coufal. The Scots responded and Dykes side-footed a cross from skipper Andy Robertson just past the front post. Marshall made a good save from Schick's 14-yard drive after midfielder John McGinn lost possession at the edge of his own box. The game settled, however, and Jaroslav Silhavy's side began to edge forward with menace. Scotland had beaten the Czech Republic home and away in the Nations League last year and confidence was high, demonstrated by a forceful start. Liam Cooper came into the back three while midfielders Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Christie found a place and Lyndon Dykes was preferred to Che Adams as the lone striker. The Scots' return to the big stage was a long time coming and the Tartan Army may have had early concerns when it was revealed defender Kieran Tierney would miss out with a knock. Scotland have never qualified for the knockout stages of a major tournament and will have to find something special to end that poor record.
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