Steve Clarke addresses a Scotland topic everyone is talking about as battling stars prove 1 thing vs Portugal

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says his side have shown confidence is not an issue in a battling Nations League stalemate with Portugal.

The Tartan Army watched on as the national team battled diligently against a star-studded Portugal team who had the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo amongst their ranks. Chances for both sides were few and far between, Scott McTominay missing a key one for Scotland inside the opening quarter.

Then Portugal had a few digs but nothing concrete as Hearts keeper Craig Gordon waited to be fully tested between the Scotland sticks, reacting low to deny an away scramble. Having lost their opening three Nations League A Group 1 matches against the Portuguese, Poland and Croatia, it was a spirited performance from Clarke’s men.

Speaking post-match, Clarke said confidence will be boosted by the point after much conversation around the topic amid a run of one win in 15 heading into the game. He explained: "The point was important for us after the work the group put in to get off the mark.

"Defensively sound. The shape of the team was good. We denied a lot of space in behind. Good concentration in the box, determined defending at times, some really good blocks, which you need against sides like Portugal. Everyone contributed to earn the point.

"Everyone keeps talking about confidence, but they know they can play well. We maybe didn't play as well as we could on the ball, which could be down to fatigue. But I don't think they lack confidence. Tonight's point will give us more confidence."

Hearts goalkeeper Gordon meanwhile thought it was a display that defensively Scotland be proud of. He added to UEFA.com: "It had to be a great defensive display as there's so much quality, so many goal threats in that Portugal team. It was a great performance by everyone to keep a clean sheet and get a point which was very important for us.

"We carved out a few chances and if we could have taken one of them we might have had all three points, but we have to be satisfied with a clean sheet. We got our campaign up and running with a point and we now look forward to the games next month and see if we can get a couple of wins in this group."