Any positives that would usually have been extracted from Scotland’s match with Greece on Sunday were instead washed away amid a tidal wave of anger, frustration and recriminations.
Being relegated to Nations League B on the back of such a heavy home defeat left no room for savouring personal achievements or hailing major milestones.
Thus, barely a second thought was given to John McGinn winning his 75th cap, Scott McTominay claiming his 60th and Kenny McLean hitting his half-century, while James Wilson becoming Scotland’s youngest ever international at the age of 18 years and 17 days almost got overlooked entirely.
It ought to have been a special night for George Hirst, too, although the abject nature of the team’s performance made beaming about a home debut for his adopted nation a tricky proposition.
The defeat clearly weighed heavy on every player’s mind in the immediate aftermath but Hirst tried his best to diplomatically tiptoe through that particular minefield and the juxtaposition of experiencing personal joy among the collective despair.
Hirst’s arrival has added another intriguing layer to Scottish football’s eclectic tapestry of centre-forward options. With insufficient homegrown talent breaking through to supplement Steve Clarke’s choices — hence the elevation of Wilson at such a young age — the manager has had to spread his net further and wider to try to source eligible players born and brought up elsewhere who might be willing to convert to the Scotland cause.
George Hirst says he will do everything possible to make sure he gets more Scotland call-ups
Hirst prepares to come on for his debut in the first leg of Scotland’s playoff against Greece
Striker Che Adams is one of several English players Scotland have enlisted in recent years
In recent years, that has seen Australian-born Lyndon Dykes emerge to fill that No 9 void alongside Englishmen Che Adams, Jacob Brown and Tommy Conway. And now there is Hirst, not only born south of the border but also a one-time England under-20 prospect and the son of a former England striker, David, who won three caps for the Three Lions in the early 90s.
Hirst Jr could have felt slightly sheepish about pulling on a Scotland shirt given that hinterland but, a week on from his maiden call-up and appearances home and away against Greece, the enduring impression was someone relishing the chance to be a part of Clarke’s plans thanks to his Scottish grandfather.
International football can prove fleeting for some unfortunate players but the Ipswich Town forward hoped that his first Scotland experiences wouldn’t also turn out to be his last.
‘I was absolutely delighted to be called up, first and foremost,’ he said. ‘And to get the opportunity to go out there and play for Scotland was absolutely massive to me. The whole experience has been incredible.
‘Obviously, it would have been nice to have got the result (on Sunday night) as that would have made it the perfect camp but it didn’t happen. But I’ve enjoyed this week so much, and all the boys have been so welcoming.
‘It’s a really great group. I’ve been at plenty of clubs in my career and not every group is as good as the one here. So, I’m pretty fortunate to be a part of that and they’ve all made me feel very welcome and at home. It’s been a dream come true.
‘I’ve tried my very best to soak it up and not take it for granted as I never know when I’m going to get an opportunity again to be here and be a part of it.
‘For me, it’s about going back to Ipswich now and doing everything I can to put myself in a position where I can get called up again. There’s a situation where this could end up being both my first and last camp but hopefully that’s not the case.
‘It’s for me to go away now and really focus on Ipswich and try and help them stay in the Premier League. If I can help do that, then hopefully that leads to bigger and better things.’
Hirst felt he had adapted the best he could following the call-up, the midweek trip to Greece and then his first Hampden appearance.
‘It’s been tough, you know,’ he added. ‘Obviously, me coming into the group as a new boy, I’m trying to see the way that things work here and the strengths of the players in this squad. And they’re trying to figure out my strengths and whatnot.
‘We’ve only been together for a week. It’s been quite a short camp so it is hard to build those relationships, obviously, with it being my first time here. Hopefully, if I can keep getting selected and doing my part.’
His dad didn’t make it to Hampden to witness his son’s second Scotland cap but Hirst was sure he would have been watching and shouting as loudly for Scotland as is safe for anyone to do while in a pub in Sheffield.
‘He wasn’t (there), he couldn’t make it actually. But he’ll have been watching it. He’ll have been in the boozer somewhere. I know what he’s like. He’s pretty tough on me so he’ll probably only come to a game when I start!
‘He supports whatever shirt I wear whether he admits it or not. When I had this opportunity and spoke to Steve Clarke, he was probably the first person I rang to tell and he had no qualms. He was dead set on me going for it.’
