Yalla Shoot :Play is suspended after nine minutes in Scotland’s game against Georgia due to waterlogged pitch

Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia was suspended after just nine minutes due to a waterlogged pitch at Hampden Park. 

There was torrential rain in the 90 minutes before kick off.

It was evident from the start of the game that the conditions were farcical, with the ball not travelling with the players. 

Simple passes were getting stuck, water was splashing up with every step and a well-struck shot from the visitors almost stopped in the goalmouth, although it was going wide anyway.

Callum McGregor fired Scotland ahead after John McGinn’s sixth-minute corner ricocheted back to the midfielder, before the referee went off to have discussions with an official on the sidelines. 

Play was suspended after just nine minutes in Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier versus Georgia

Ground staff were seen attempting to clear the water away from the pitch at Hampden Park

Callum McGregor had put Scotland ahead but the referee then brought a halt to proceedings

Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Georgia manager Willy Sagnol had called for the game to be stopped prior to that.

It was soon announced there would be a reassessment of the pitch in 20 minutes’ time.

The rain then came to a halt. However, it was confirmed that play will resume at 9.30pm – a full one hour and 21 minutes after the initial stoppage.

Georgia returned to the pitch to loud jeers, Scotland went off and back on again, and the match eventually restarted at 9.33pm with the visitors taking the centre following McGregor’s goal.

Scotland’s Ryan Porteous and Georgia’s Luka Gagnidze in action in the very wet conditions

Scotland manager Steve Clarke had called for play to be stopped at Hampden Park

Defender Andy Robertson attempts to play in the wet conditions during the Euro 2024 qualifer