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Scotland fans' booing of Chris Martin 'a joke', says Neil McCann

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Neil McCann criticises the fans who booed striker Chris Martin on as a substitute before he scored Scotland's winner in their 1-0 victory against Slovenia

Former Scotland international Neil McCann has branded fans at Hampden Park who booed striker Chris Martin onto the pitch "a joke".

Martin was booed by sections of the Hampden Park crowd when he was introduced as a substitute in Scotland's World Cup qualifying Group F clash with Slovenia, but less than six minutes after coming on he grabbed an 88th-minute winner.

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Highlights of Scotland's Group F World Cup qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden Park

McCann earned 26 caps for Scotland between 1998 and 2005 and has blasted supporters who afforded Martin his negative reaction.

"What happened to Chris Martin coming on was a joke," McCann told Premier League Daily.

"It doesn't matter how a player performs, I've been there myself and had many poor games, it's not going to help somebody getting booed coming onto the pitch.

Chris Martin shrugged off jeers to score a crucial goal for Scotland against Slovenia
Image: Chris Martin was booed by Scotland fans after coming on against Slovenia

"The fans obviously didn't take to him. He didn't have a particularly great game against Canada, and maybe they thought Jordan Rhodes was a better option to come on and try and get a goal but at that stage in the match we were starting to throw things into the box, and I think it was a good substitution in respect to that.

"The ones who booed I would have been absolutely blown away had they not been on their feet when he put us into the lead and virtually secured our survival within the group to still have a chance of qualification, certainly for a play-off spot."

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Scotland's late victory was critical to their World Cup qualification hopes, keeping them in the hunt for a play-off spot ahead of the visit of England in June.

Gordon Strachan's side sit fourth in the group on seven points behind England, Slovakia and Slovenia and McCann has backed Strachan to keep the belief.

It now keeps that England game alive, which is now going to be absolutely massive.
Neil McCann

"From a Scotland perspective, Gordon [Strachan] has to just continue to feed that belief," McCann added.

"There's a real good feel factor this morning after last night's result, there's been lots of games in this campaign where we actually featured well and played well.

"The England game, we played well and were punished by three attempts on target, the only three three goals. Slovakia, we were robbed of a free kick then they go down the park and score and the roof caved in.

MCANN
Image: McCann earned 26 caps for Scotland between 1998 and 2005

"The Lithuania game was damaging but last night was by the manager's own admission a do or die match for us, and it's not often a manager will go and say that because it heaps pressure on the players, but they stood up to it, they were good. Armstrong was incredible for a man on his debut, exceptional.

"Great night all round for us. It now keeps that England game alive, which is now going to be absolutely massive. Instead of us going with shoulders stooped over, the chest is pinned back and we'll march into Hampden and look forward to it."

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