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 5 worldwide debuts towards Liechtenstein, strikers had 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 earth and it got here on the again of a greater 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 grow to be the primary Scotland males’s aspect to achieve the World Cup since 1998.
So is it time to be nervous or optimistic?
What does the shape ebook say?
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 masking the Euros, Nations League and friendlies.
Scotland had been relegated to Nations League group B following defeat to Greece
Clarke all the time insisted issues would flip, and Nations League victories towards 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 towards Greece meant relegation to Nations League B – then got here final Friday’s defeat to Iceland.
It was a battle for Scotland towards Iceland
Excuses may very well be made for that efficiency in isolation – finish of a protracted season, gamers celebrating league wins and cup trophies.
However Scotland have received simply one among their final 9 at Hampden Park.
Enjoying Liechtenstein was an enormous threat. Defeat to the workforce ranked 205th on the earth would have been a catastrophe, whereas not profitable however a big sufficient margin wouldn’t be deemed adequate.
Fortunately for Clarke, they received 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 12 months as Scotland head coach and, no matter occurs, it may very well be his final.
He has already mentioned there’s a “75 per cent chance” he is not going to renew his cope with the Scottish FA after subsequent summer time’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 one among Scotland’s greatest spells in latest reminiscence and he has repeatedly proved his doubters improper.
Reaching back-to-back European Championships after 24 years of failing to qualify is a big achievement, however many followers are need a new boss to freshen issues up.
June’s friendlies have been meaningless when it comes to 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 deal with his membership job as supervisor of Lechia Gdansk with Clarke making discovering his alternative one among his jobs for the summer time.
Whereas a qualifying failure might tarnish the followers’ recollections of the person who ended a wait of 20-plus to achieve a significant event, if he stays, there is no such thing as a doubt he can be concentrating 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) had been unavailable Scotland’s June friendlies by damage
Fixing the goalkeeper challenge is an apparent precedence.
If Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly are match once more by September then, within the brief time period, it is going to 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 resulting from Gunn’s damage 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 ready and that’s ok” and it was not dangerous judgement by the top coach to present him an early worldwide debut, it was extra dangerous 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 aren’t 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 towards Iceland however they had 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 large promise and he impressed in Vaduz.
Ryan Christie can even be again within the combine for the World Cup qualifiers that means the top coach may have some huge selections to make.
Scotland Head Coach Steve Clarke (L) and Lennon Miller (R)
McTominay performed centrally as an attacking drive for Napoli all season as they received Serie A, one thing Clarke will little doubt have on his thoughts as he seems to be to keep away from one other downturn.
Striker options
George Hirst (R) and Che Adams each scored towards Liechtenstein
There was a hanging downside for Scotland.
Adams scored a hat-trick towards Liechtenstein, however he was the primary striker to search out the online in over a 12 months.
He netted 10 objectives in his debut season in Serie A with Torino, having scored 19 instances 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 resulting from damage
George Hirst and Adams each began in Vaduz to nice impact with the Ipswich frontman additionally discovering the online.
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 often.
New wave of Scotland gamers
Lennon Miller arrange Adams’ second in Liechtenstein
One huge optimistic from June’s friendlies was seeing seven gamers handed their worldwide debuts.
Slicker’s got here too quickly and Doohan’s likelihood solely got here from damage, however Lennon Miller confirmed what he has to supply the nationwide aspect.
At simply 18, he seemed assured when he got here on towards Iceland and impressed towards 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, that means there may be trigger for optimism for the long run.
