It’s almost four years since Steve Clarke took charge of Scotland for the first time.
As he embarks on the latest qualification campaign this weekend with a place at Euro 2024 in Germany up for grabs, Cyprus again provide the opposition at Hampden. Clarke had been appointed on the back of a seriously impressive job at Kilmarnock, guiding them into Europe. The hope was that he could do the same with the national team for Euro 2020 after two decades away from the top table.
We had to wait a year thanks to Covid, but Clarke managed it, sealing our place at a first a major tournament in over two decades thanks to a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Serbia in Belgrade. Attempts to follow that up with a World Cup return fell short, but now we go again with Spain and Norway our biggest obstacles on paper in a group that could have been worse, but still represents a tricky challenge.
A win on Saturday at a packed National Stadium is a must before the Spanish come calling next week. Under Clarke, Scotland have more often than not beaten the teams we are expected to, although a big, unexpected result that really helps tip the qualification odds in your favour is yet to be ticked off.
But getting the first three points on the board is the priority for now. Scotland left it late on Clarke's debut, having to recover after Andy Robertson’s opener was cancelled out just three minutes from time by Ionnis Kousoulos. However, Oli Burke’s stoppage time winner meant it was a successful start for the new boss.
Hopefully it's a bit more straightforward this time. It’s fair to say the team and squad is stronger now, which is highlighted when you look back at how Scotland lined up that day. There are still familiar faces heavily involved, but Record Sport takes a look at Clarke’s first team selection, which includes some names we haven't seen for a while.
David Marshall
The keeper was first choice after Allan McGregor had retired a few months earlier while Craig Gordon was inexplicably out of favour at Celtic. Scott Bain and Jon mcLaughlin provided back up on the bench. Marshall was still a while away from his heroic moment in Belgrade, and a bit of an embarrassing one at the Euros against the Czechs.
Now, he's followed Mcgregor’s lead and retired from the international scene, although with Gordon out injured, Clarke may have been wishing Marshall held on a bit longer. As it is, either Zander Clark, Angus Gunn or Liam Kelly will make their Scotland debut on Saturday,
Stephen O’Donnell
A reliable and consistent performer for Clarke at Kilmarnock, many scoffed at his inclusion. However, in contrast to the other side of the defence, right back was a problem position for Scotland then. O’Donnell came in and let no-one down, and while he’s being phased out a bit now given the emergence of Nathan Patterson and resurgence of Anthony Ralston, he was a big part of our return to a major tournament.
Charlie Mulgrew
Scotland weren’t blessed with centre backs either. John Souttar’s injury issues hadn’t gone away, Jack Hendry wasn’t in the picture and another Clarke Killie disciple Stuart Findlay was on the bench. Mulgrew has aged out of the international reckoning now and is focused on trying to keep struggling Dundee United in the top flight.
Scott McKenna
The then Aberdeen defender was still in the infancy of his international career. Seen as one for the future, McKenna was pitched in as an aerially dominant partner to Mulgrew.
Has since become more established for his country when fit, but is yet to nail down a regular starting spot, although a switch to playing a back three has helped his cause.
Andy Robertson
Still first choice at left wing back and still captain. It’s five years since Robertson was handed the armband and the conundrum of how to fit him and Kieran Tierney in the same team has been solved by Clarke. A rare goal opened the scoring.
Kenny McLean
The Norwich man is perennially included in Clarke's squads, although is mostly used as a substitute. Started in a midfield trio for Clarke's first game and has played his part over the years since, although never quite in a starring role.
Callum McGregor
McGregor has taken on Scott Brown’s role as Celtic skipper and is now a first pick for his country. Assumes the armband when Robertson is unavailable and is a calming influence on and off the park.
A senior member of Clarke's squad, will play a vital role in the campaign to come.
John McGinn
Scotland’s talisman and top scorer under Clarke. McGinn is at the heart of most of Scotland’s big moments. Form dipped slightly at the end of World Cup qualifying and missed a sitter against Ukraine that proved costly. Always answers the call though and will no doubt have a big say in whether we make it to Germany or not.
James Forrest
His international status has mirrored his club standing in recent months. Currently injured, Forrest has found himself as more of a squad player at Celtic under Ange Postecoglou, although still a valued member of the pool. Fitness has prevented him starring for Scotland and the lack of domestic game time means that he's probably winding down when it comes to international football.
Ryan Fraser
Was right in the mix under Clarke initially. Then pulled out of a squad injured after Edie Howe took the Newcastle jon and was frozen out after Clarke not so subtly took aim when he talked about players who “want” to play for Scotland. The pair cleared the air and Fraser was back in, but now finds himself out in the cold at the Toon with Howe banishing him to the train with the Under 21s and his departure from St james’ Park this summer seemingly nailed on.
Eamonn Brophy
Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Brophy was called up for the first time. Options were limited though, with Lyndon Dykes yet to commit to Scotland.
A hard running striker in Clarke’s effective Kilmarnock team, Brophy wasn’t exactly a goal machine and there were major doubts over him being good enough for his country. HIs debut proved to be uneventful and he was subbed after 73 minutes. It proved to be his only capo, and he’s since left Killie for St Mirren, who have subsequently loaned him to struggling Ross County.
Subs
Scott McTominay
The Manchester United man has proved a useful option in more than one position for Clarke. His deployment on the right of a back four didn;t always work, but was a case of needs must due to injuries at times. Better in midfield, McTominay tends to start the bigger games there and has popped up with the odd important goal.
Stuart Armstrong
Despite finding himself going through spells in and out of the SOuthampton team, Armstrong remained a regular in Scotland squads. The ability to break the lines as well as pick a pass means he;s perhaps a more cultured, if less in your face alternative to McGinn, Clarke likes him and will use him plenty if he’s fit.
Oli Burke
Remember him? Tipped for big things, it never quite happened for Burke despite making the match winning contribution off the bench. Now on his sixth club since 2019 after joining Millwall on loan from Werder Bremen in January, an international return seems a long way off.
READ NEXT:
