IT may be somewhat bold to hail the winning mentality that Steve Clarke has instilled in this Scotland squad after a run of three straight defeats, but it is the five consecutive wins before that which truly mattered.
Those victories secured qualification to the European Championships – the second time the national team have qualified for a major tournament under Clarke’s watch after over two decades of failing to do so. That record, coupled with the fact that this Scotland team is so annoyed by the subsequent losses to England, Spain and France, shows just how far they have come.
That’s the verdict of Stuart Armstrong, who has been around the Scotland camp long enough now and served under enough head coaches to properly gauge just how pivotal Clarke’s influence has been on reversing the team’s fortunes.
With the system he has implemented on the field, the atmosphere he has created off of it, and the way in which he has shifted the mentality of the players, Armstrong believes that there is no way this group could have done it without him.
“He has been hugely influential,” Armstrong said.
“He has brought a winning mentality to Scotland that perhaps wasn’t there before and the belief that we can go into big games and come out with results and points.
“I think that’s been a huge change, when perhaps we failed to cross the line at certain points.
“Huge credit goes to him for bringing that mentality, bringing a system and mentality that we can achieve these things.
“He has had a hugely positive impact on the squad and the country as a whole.”
As anyone who has met Clarke will testify - and this is meant with the greatest of affection - there is something of a dour consistency about him. While his team may be a good deal more expressive on the field, it is no surprise that they too mirror that steady level of performance.
“Since he has come in we have gone from strength to strength,” Armstrong added.
“There is real consistency about the team and the way we perform, and results, so I think his influence on the Scotland national team has been significant, hugely positive.
“He has created an atmosphere where players want to come and play, they enjoy it, but ultimately players want to be successful.
“It’s helped by the fact that a large proportion of the group have been together for a long time. Everybody is very familiar with one another. You have got some very interesting characters, funny characters, that bring a lot to the group.
“It’s a very relaxed atmosphere, but serious when it needs to be. The blend is very good and that is amplified by the manager.”
Having got so used to that winning feeling under Clarke, Armstrong says that the national side are determined not to slip into that old losing habit with a fourth straight reverse when they step out in Tbilisi this evening, even bearing in mind the injuries they are carrying and the lack of a tangible reward.
“I think it would be a really strong campaign if we finished with two good results,” he said.
“It would be something we could be really proud of.
“The feeling from the friendlies is a little bit of disappointment and we know we can do better. To get back to that winning form would mean a lot for the team.”
