Scotland salvaged one thing from the friendlies this month, however even Steve Clarke noticed it as a “disappointing camp” with questions unanswered forward the World Cup qualifiers.
There have been five international debuts against Liechtenstein, strikers have been among the many objectives following a prolonged drought and teenager Lennon Miller impressed on his first begin.
However this was a workforce ranked 205th on the planet and it got here on the again of a more than disappointing defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park.
Subsequent up is Denmark and Belarus away in early September earlier than Greece at Hampden Park on 9 October as Clarke’s squad bid to change into the primary Scotland males’s facet to achieve the World Cup since 1998.
So is it time to be apprehensive or optimistic?
What does the shape e-book say?
Scotland shocked Spain in Euro 2024 qualifying
It has been a rollercoaster for Clarke and Scotland.
5 wins from their opening six video games of Euro 2024 qualifying had a nation believing of development past the group stage in Germany. However Scotland’s type fell off a cliff.
They managed only one win of their subsequent 16 video games protecting the Euros, Nations League and friendlies.
Scotland have been relegated to Nations League group B following defeat to Greece
Clarke at all times insisted issues would flip, and Nations League victories in opposition to Poland, Croatia and Greece introduced the feelgood issue again.
What he did not need was one other downturn and this time the poor outcomes got here with poor performances.
A dismal show in opposition to Greece meant relegation to Nations League B – then got here final Friday’s defeat to Iceland.
It was a battle for Scotland in opposition to Iceland
Excuses could possibly be made for that efficiency in isolation – finish of a protracted season, gamers celebrating league wins and cup trophies.
However Scotland have gained simply considered one of their final 9 at Hampden Park.
Enjoying Liechtenstein was an enormous danger. Defeat to the workforce ranked 205th on the planet would have been a catastrophe, whereas not profitable however a big sufficient margin wouldn’t be deemed ok.
Fortunately for Clarke, they gained 4-0 and Che Adams scored a hat-trick to spice up confidence.
The Tartan Military can solely hope issues are on the up once more.
Can Clarke take Scotland any additional?
Steve Clarke was named Scotland head coach in 2019
Clarke is into his seventh yr as Scotland head coach and, no matter occurs, it could possibly be his final.
He has already mentioned there’s a “75 per cent probability” he is not going to renew his take care of the Scottish FA after subsequent summer season’s World Cup, qualification or not.
However ought to there be a change earlier than that?
Some Scotland followers are prepared for a change in head coach
There isn’t a doubt the 61-year-old has overseen considered one of Scotland’s greatest spells in latest reminiscence and he has repeatedly proved his doubters unsuitable.
Reaching back-to-back European Championships after 24 years of failing to qualify is a large achievement, however many followers are desire a new boss to freshen issues up.
June’s friendlies have been meaningless by way of what was at stake, however even the top coach noticed them as a warm-up to World Cup qualifying.
John Carver was Scotland assistant for 5 years
Assistant boss John Carver has now left after 5 years to concentrate on his membership job as supervisor of Lechia Gdansk with Clarke making discovering his alternative considered one of his jobs for the summer season.
Whereas a qualifying failure may tarnish the followers’ reminiscences of the person who ended a wait of 20-plus to achieve a significant match, if he stays, there is no such thing as a doubt he might be focusing on a bit extra historical past earlier than he departs the dugout by reaching the World Cup.
Goalkeeping woes
Craig Gordon (L) and Liam Kelly (R) have been unavailable Scotland’s June friendlies by harm
Fixing the goalkeeper concern is an apparent precedence.
If Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly are match once more by September then, within the brief time period, will probably be resolved however a 42-year-old being the primary selection is clearly not sustainable.
Cieran Slicker took a lot of the blame for the Iceland defeat – a younger goalkeeper thrown in as a consequence of Gunn’s harm solely to be at fault for all three objectives.
It was a Scotland debut to neglect for goalkeeper Cieran Slicker
Clarke mentioned post-match “he wasn’t prepared and that is okay” and it was not unhealthy judgement by the top coach to present him an early worldwide debut, it was extra unhealthy luck.
Ross Doohan was drafted into the squad for the journey to Liechtenstein and it was a greater debut from the Aberdeen keeper.
It was a quiet debut for Ross Doohan in Liechtenstein
He stored a clear sheet, however given the hosts didn’t register a shot on the right track it was not a problem for him.
Accidents can’t be predicted, however a lesson for Clarke could also be that he cannot name up gamers who will not be prepared and in a position to play.
Midfield dilemma
There isn’t a doubt midfield is the strongest space of Scotland’s workforce, however how can Clarke get the perfect from these gamers?
Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn ought to dictate matches – however in opposition to Iceland however they have been arrange in such a means that allowed the opposition to run by all of them too simply.
Scott McTominay has scored 12 objectives for Scotland
Harm to McTominay noticed Lennon Miller handed a begin in Liechtenstein. The 18-year-old is a participant with big promise and he impressed in Vaduz.
Ryan Christie can even be again within the combine for the World Cup qualifiers which means the top coach could have some massive choices to make.
Scotland Head Coach Steve Clarke (L) and Lennon Miller (R)
McTominay performed centrally as an attacking pressure for Napoli all season as they gained Serie A, one thing Clarke will little question have on his thoughts as he appears to be like to keep away from one other downturn.
Striker options
George Hirst (R) and Che Adams each scored in opposition to Liechtenstein
There was a putting downside for Scotland.
Adams scored a hat-trick in opposition to Liechtenstein, however he was the primary striker to search out the web in over a yr.
He netted 10 objectives in his debut season in Serie A with Torino, having scored 19 occasions for Southampton the earlier marketing campaign however, till Monday, had managed only one aim for his nation since June 2022.
Striker Lyndon Dykes missed Scotland’s friendlies as a consequence of harm
George Hirst and Adams each began in Vaduz to nice impact with the Ipswich frontman additionally discovering the web.
Clarke was fast to level out it was not the primary time he had opted for 2 up high, however it’s maybe a system he ought to contemplate extra usually.
New wave of Scotland gamers
Lennon Miller arrange Adams’ second in Liechtenstein
One massive optimistic from June’s friendlies was seeing seven gamers handed their worldwide debuts.
Slicker’s got here too quickly and Doohan’s probability solely got here from harm, however Lennon Miller confirmed what he has to supply the nationwide facet.
At simply 18, he regarded assured when he got here on in opposition to Iceland and impressed in opposition to Lichtenstein, even managing an help for Adams’ second aim.
Kieron Bowie (L) and Connor Barron (C) got here on to make their Scotland debuts in Vaduz
Andy Irving, Connor Barron, Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie additionally made appearances.
The common age of Clarke’s debutants was 22, which means there may be trigger for optimism for the long run.
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