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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ewan Murray

Clarke nonplussed by Katy Perry but hopes for fireworks from Scotland in qualifiers

Scotland manager Steve Clarke oversees training
Scotland manager Steve Clarke oversees training. With two home games coming up, he said: ‘The players understand what they have to do.’ Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

Even close proximity to a global superstar cannot divert Scotland’s attention from their World Cup dream. Or is it a teenage one? Katy Perry shared a city centre hotel with Steve Clarke and his squad this week as the singer’s Lifetimes tour stopped off in Glasgow. Clarke did not quite go as far as saying “Katy who?” but he was nonplussed by his squad rubbing shoulders with a bestselling artist.

“Was she?” said Clarke when asked about Perry’s whereabouts. “I didn’t know she was there. I’ve heard the name and I’m sure if you played me a couple of her songs I’d say: ‘I recognise that one.’ But I couldn’t name you one of her songs. That’s no disrespect to Katy but I’m from a different generation.” Pressed on whether he would even recognise Perry, Clarke – by now laughing – added: “Eh, no. And she wouldn’t recognise me.” This very much feels like two worlds that should never collide.

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