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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Try not do that again: The Steve Clarke reaction to Scotland mistake that sums him up

Some managers absolutely slaughter their players when they've made a mistake - but that isn't how Scotland boss Steve Clarke tends to operate. 

That's the opinion of 26-time capped internationalist, Stephen O'Donnell. 

The experienced full-back was a mainstay in Clarke's side that appeared at Euro 2020 and he has lifted the lid on what the gaffer is really like behind the scenes by recalling his shock reaction to a horrific error during a clash against Czech Republic three years ago. 

"I think he does keep his cards close to his chest," the Motherwell defender told Clyde 1's 'Scotland Euro Stories Podcast'. 

"I think he will occasionally show signs of, I'll say weakness, but signs of love or signs of passion or care. But the majority of the time, he's calm. 

​"Like the Czech Republic game in the Euros, I took the touch out the park and obviously I didn't mean it. A lot of managers would be like 'that's hopeless', 'you're brutal' and all that. We had a bit of a heckle from the crowd and obviously it's not nice when you've made a mistake. 

"I think it was 0-0 at the time, quite early on, and I was nervous, a bit more nervous maybe than normal, and I'm running back past him (Clarke) and he just goes 'try and not do that again' and smiled. 

"It instantly just changes you. That would be how I would describe him. He knew when to come for you and he knew when to just essentially put an arm around you and I think that's what makes him a great manager."

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