Scotland captain Andy Robertson has urged supporters to keep their expectations in check following back-to-back friendly defeats against Japan and Ivory Coast.
Facing criticism and booing from a vocal section of the Tartan Army, the defender jumped to his team's defense, reminding supporters of the undeniable quality of their recent international opponents.
"Japan beat England too, so let's be real," Robertson stated, highlighting the high caliber of the Asian side to put Scotland's recent struggles into proper perspective.
The consecutive exhibition losses have clearly frustrated fans, a reaction the skipper acknowledged but suggested might be overly harsh given the context of the matches.
"If we don't get the result, we get booed," he added, reflecting on the intense and often unforgiving pressure the national team faces every time they step onto the pitch.
Robertson's pointed comments serve as a plea for patience as Scotland looks to regroup, learn from these challenging international fixtures, and push forward.