Scottish hopes slip away against Slovenia

Scotland’s hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup already appear to be in severe doubt after a damaging 3-0 defeat to Slovakia in Trvana.

After slipping up with a draw at home to Lithuania on Saturday, Gordon Strachan’s side were looking to bounce back. But a double from Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Robert Mak left the Scots toiling before Adam Nemec rubbed salt into the wounds with a third in the second half.

Scotland head to Wembley next month to face Group F leaders England but after taking just four points from their opening three games even an unlikely victory over the Auld Enemy may not be enough to salvage their qualifying bid.