“Hazard is giving what you want from a captain. I don’t think there was anything wrong with him trying to find the right space and drag people out.”- Belgium Coach, Roberto Martinez.
The Chelsea man was Belgium’s star turn in the big win against Scotland, earning praise from head coach Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez hailed Eden Hazard for setting the standard as captain after the Chelsea forward shone in a comprehensive 4-0 win against Scotland.
Hazard was the standard bearer for the Red Devils’ attacking prowess before being replaced in the 56th minute.
The skipper scored with a stunning effort to make it 2-0 after Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku had opened the scoring before he set up Michy Batshuayi for the first of his brace.
Boss Martinez was questioned if Hazard worked too hard in the friendly fixture, but the former Everton manager wants his star man to continue leading by example.
“I don’t see that as a negative. He’s in a good moment and he’s carried on from where he was in the World Cup,” he said.
“When you’re a captain, you have to set the standard in that sort of manner. It’s dangerous when you go into a football match not giving everything.
Opposite number Alex McLeish oversaw Scotland’s biggest home defeat in over 45 years.
Bar Hazard’s strike, all of Belgium’s goals were largely of Scotland’s own doing with some poor passing and lapses in concentration proving costly.
McLeish, who has now suffered four defeats in five since returning as Scotland manager, rued the errors but believe his side can take positives from the performance.
“Mistakes cost us. We were doing okay in the first half and we made a mistake and lost the goal,” he said.
“It was just a catalogue of errors. If anybody’s got to take the blame, it’s me for telling them they have to pass it.
“It’s harsh lessons, big lessons for the young ones especially, but they should not be downhearted as they were up against a top team.
“It looked the best choice of opposition for me. We’ve got to test ourselves.”