Back when Smokin’ Joe Frazier was the most feared heavyweight in the world, reporters once asked him what he loved most about boxing. He spoke of the physical and mental demands, the brutal tests in the ring, and his ability to endure immense hardship. “I love it,” he concluded. “I love it like a hog loves slop.”
Watching Grant Hanley battle through tackles, clearances, and relentless Greek pressure in Piraeus, it was easy to see a similar love for the game. On his 60th cap for Scotland, he threw himself into every challenge, blocking shots, repelling crosses, and thriving in the chaos of a defensive battle. He defended as if his life depended on it—like a warrior built for moments of adversity.
Hanley epitomized resilience. In a second half filled with unrelenting Greek attacks, he stood firm. When it seemed like he had given away a penalty in the dying moments, he somehow escaped. His expression remained calm, but his heart must have been pounding—whether from the dread of a costly mistake or sheer exhaustion.
A Defiant Underdog
Hanley’s performance was nothing short of heroic, especially considering his limited club football in recent months. He has barely played in England’s third tier, yet when called upon in high-stakes international football, he delivered.
Despite skepticism from fans who often question his place in the Scotland lineup, Hanley keeps proving his worth. When the team sheet is announced and his name appears, groans often follow. But Scotland manager Steve Clarke sees something others overlook. He could have chosen Scott McKenna, a regular for Las Palmas in La Liga. McKenna has played 90 minutes against elite teams, helping his side hold Real Sociedad, beat Barcelona, and draw with a Real Madrid attack featuring Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé.
Yet Clarke trusted Hanley—a player who, before this game, had accumulated just ten minutes of football across five substitute appearances for Birmingham. His last full game for the club was in early February. Before that, his last two league starts, while still at Norwich, resulted in heavy defeats (4-0 and 2-0).
Despite this, Clarke remained loyal, and Hanley justified that faith with a commanding display.
Standing Tall Against the Odds
Hanley wasn’t alone in his defiance. Anthony Ralston, another player struggling for club minutes, was equally impressive. The right-back has started only five league games for Celtic this season, yet he mirrored Hanley’s resilience and energy. While John Souttar and Andy Robertson had recent club success to draw upon, Hanley and Ralston had no such foundation—only their grit and determination to guide them.
This wasn’t new territory for Hanley. Before Scotland’s October fixtures against Croatia and Portugal, he had played just two minutes of club football in six weeks. Yet he completed 90 minutes against Croatia (2-1 loss) and another 90 against Portugal (0-0 draw), facing off against Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Bruno Fernandes, and others without being exposed.
By November, his club situation hadn’t improved. He had played just 15 minutes in a month before Scotland faced Poland and Croatia again. Still, he played every minute, helping Scotland to a 1-0 win over Croatia and a 2-1 victory against Poland.
A Fighter Who Refuses to Fall
At 33, with limited club opportunities, Hanley could easily have resigned himself to fading away. But he refuses to accept that his time is up. He continues to battle, relishing the challenge, thriving in adversity.
Clarke admires players who show strength, persistence, and the ability to bounce back. Hanley embodies these traits. He may not be the ideal centre-back—he won’t dazzle with technical ability or orchestrate play from the back. There’s always the possibility of a mistake. But when it comes to sheer determination, he stands among the best.
In the final moments against Greece, he came perilously close to conceding a penalty, but fortune favored him. A great survivor, he endured once again. And in that, there was justice.