Scotland’s Steve Clarke debate


It is undeniable that Steve Clarke has enjoyed great success since he was appointed Scotland manager back in 2019. 

Getting to Euro 2020 and leading his side to their best World Cup qualifying campaign since 1998 has to be commended.  


However, poor results in some big matches and a lack of tactical adaptability have led many to question Steve Clarke’s credentials as Scotland manager. 


These concerns gathered real pace after a deflating World Cup play off loss to Ukraine but it is fair to say the warning signs have been there for a while. 


Despite qualifying for Euro 2020, Scotland’s performance at last summer’s tournament was somewhat disappointing. Granted, the goalless draw with England at Wembley was well deserved and nothing could be done about the quality of the Croatia side that won 3-1 at Hampden but the 2-0 home defeat to the Czech Republic in the opening game was unsettling. 


Playing in front of their own supporters in their first major tournament in 22 years, you would fancy Scotland to deliver but they would cease to do so. 


For one of the first times in his Scotland tenure, Steve Clarke arguably got the team selection wrong. 


The absence of Kieran Tierney on the left hand side displayed how vital his relationship with Andy Robertson is for the way Scotland play. 


Despite this clear void, Clarke has endured to implement the system built to get his two best players on the pitch and linking well together as recently as the 4-1 win over Armenia in June. 


It simply doesn’t make sense to continue to play football in a way which was manufactured to suit a duo of players when one or the other isn’t on the pitch. 


Moreover, playing a system consisting of three centre backs when this is one of the weakest areas in the Scotland team seems a tad illogical. 


All of the above, the fifty eight year old has received great criticism for but the transformation and new found confidence he’s brought upon the Scotland national team has been remarkable. 


I am not one for managers to dwell on their past glories but Steve Clarke has created a real bond and team spirit amongst his Scotland side as well as a rich vein of pride among the Tartan Army in the national team. 


It seems the players truly believe in their manager but to progress in football, sometimes harsh decisions have to be made. 


A 4-1 win over an Armenia side who finished the match with nine men eased pressure on Steve Clarke after losses to Ukraine and Ireland caused a lot of fans to get on his back. 


However, I believe we have to get behind Clarke for at least the final three games of the current Nations League campaign. 


If things aren’t going to plan by then, maybe a change in the dugout could be the right way to go before European Championships qualifying begins. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Celtic Player Ratings v Hibs

Image
Celtic were very much off the boil in a goalless draw with Hibernian today. The Hoops gave up some vital ground in the title race as they dropped points in the league for the first time since December.     There were very few standout performers in the Celtic team today nonetheless I present to you my player ratings from the match.  Joe Hart - 6/10 The Englishman was sparsely called into action and had a nervy moment late in the match when he conceded a corner whilst trying to play out from the back. In spite of this, Hart was able to keep yet another clean sheet for Celtic.  Josip Juranovic - 7/10 Josip Juranovic was back in at right back after Anthony Ralston deputised there against both Bodo/Glimt and Dundee. The most notable involvements in the match from Juranovic were his two free kicks which evidently came to nothing.  Cameron Carter-Vickers - 7/10 The American centre back was calm and composed when defending and persevered in building up attacks from defence for Celtic. Carter-
Read more

Celtic v Hearts: Five things we learned

Image
On a cold, December’s night in the East End of Glasgow, Celtic had to beat Hearts to almost stay in the SPFL title race. Ange Postecoglou’s men lived up to the challenge with Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal proving decisive. Let’s get into three things we learned from the match.   Celtic’s squad depth is continually being put to the test With Celtic missing Cameron Carter-Vickers    through personal reasons and Giorgos Giakoumakis, along with many others, through injury, the thoroughness of the Celtic team is undoubtedly being put to the test. In addition, all three substitutes made by Ange Postecoglou this evening were forced with all of Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh and Jota being retracted for one reason or another. All of the above reasons clearly connote the need for recruitment in the January transfer window.  Carl Starfelt is nothing but reliable Upon return from injury, Swedish centre back Carl Starfelt was handed a vital role at the heart of the Celtic defence. The twenty six year old
Read more

Who is Jacob Brown?

Image
Scotland will take on Moldova and Denmark in the upcoming International break with just three points needed to secure a play off for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For the Moldova match in particular, Scotland will be without Ryan Christie and on-form striker Lyndon Dykes; both will miss out through suspension. It was suspected that a new name would be brought in to fill the void with the likes of Johnny Russell and Tony Watt believed to be in the fray although Steve Clarke opted for an unsuspected pick in Stoke City forward Jacob Brown.   The now twenty three year old begun his career at English National League side Guiseley before moving to Barnsley under eighteens in 2015. Brown worked his way through the ranks at the South Yorkshire club before making his first team debut for Barnsley in the 16/17 season. Brown made an additional cameo later on in the campaign, mounting his total to two appearances for the season. In the first half of the 17/18 campaign, the attacker played five time
Read more