Steve Clarke mentioned Scotland’s “head-scratcher” of a efficiency of their 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Belarus was essentially the most disenchanted he has felt since taking cost of the nationwide crew.
It was a momentous evening for Clarke at Hampden Park as he took cost of the nationwide facet for a record-breaking 72nd time, and it appeared to be all optimistic when striker Che Adams scored after quarter-hour, however the dwelling facet did not kick on.
Belarus had a aim disallowed within the second half for a foul on Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay within the build-up earlier than the Napoli star struck within the 84th minute with a end from 10 yards.
However Belarus substitute Hleb Kuchko’s strike in added time introduced extra nerves again to the unimpressed Tartan Military and a few boos have been heard at full-time.
Nonetheless, dwelling wins over Greece and Belarus within the October double-header imply the Scots have 10 factors from 12 as they put together to journey to Greece and host Denmark subsequent month to conclude the quick-fire qualification marketing campaign.
Clarke mentioned: “I am actually disenchanted – actually, actually disenchanted.
“It is probably as disenchanted as I have been over the entire 72 video games. We simply did not flip up.
“But before I go down that route, and you start asking me questions about why I’m feeling like that, it’s also to point out that performances don’t get you qualification. And tonight was certainly not a performance.
“However we received three factors and that is six factors from the double-header so we’re actually happy about that, as everybody with a Scottish connection will probably be.
“But the performance was way below par.
‘It’s a head-scratcher’
Clarke continued: “It’s a head-scratcher. But I’ll go away, I’ll have a look, and we’ll analyse it.
“We’ll take a look at what we have now to do higher and the way we might be extra cohesive as a crew with out the ball.
“And how we have to be better as a team when we have possession.
“I’ve informed them that within the dressing room, in order that they know what my emotions are.
“But I’ve got a great faith in them and I trust them absolutely. And I know that next month they’ll be a different animal.”
‘Why would the gamers be nervous?’
Scotland’s Che Adams celebrates after scoring a aim towards Belarus
Requested If nerves had performed a component, the previous Studying, West Brom and Kilmarnock boss mentioned: “They can’t be nervous. Why would they be nervous? Most of them have played in big games before.
“I do not suppose you’ll be able to blame nerves. If it is nerves, I feel I am going to want to talk to the physician.”
Despite another three points towards the 2026 finals in North America next summer, the Tartan Army vented their frustrations at the end of the game.
Clarke said: “That appears to be the way in which of the fashionable recreation. All the things now’s instantaneous. Everybody has an opinion within the first minute of the sport, the tenth minute of the sport, the twentieth.
“Everyone has a different opinion depending on how the game flows.
“If the followers have been disenchanted with the efficiency tonight, they need to take just a little consolation within the truth the top coach was additionally disenchanted.”
‘It would not really feel like a win’
Scott McTominay celebrates with Kieran Tierney after scoring to make it 2-0
Scotland captain Andy Robertson was equally as essential of his facet’s show towards Belarus.
“It doesn’t feel good,” he informed BBC Scotland.
“We can be honest with that. It doesn’t feel like a win at the minute and I think you can see that by our reaction at the end which is hugely frustrating. The performance is nowhere near where we need it to be.
“In the beginning of the week we might have taken the six factors and we are able to look again in November at the place we’re [and be pleased with it] however at the moment strolling off the pitch it would not really feel good.
“We gave them far too many chances. I don’t know if we were tired from Thursday night, we put a lot into that one, but that’s no excuse.
“We weren’t good on or off the ball, at instances we did properly. We might have, with barely higher decision-making, had a pair extra possibilities.
“It’s a hugely frustrating night, we felt that in the stands, I didn’t quite understand it on Thursday but I understand it tonight. We’ll take that on board but come November we’ve got the chance to go to a World Cup and that’s what we’re focused on.”
McGinn sees ‘wild’ facet of Clarke
In the meantime, John McGinn noticed a “wild” facet of Clarke he had by no means witnessed earlier than as Scotland laboured within the supervisor’s record-breaking 72nd recreation in cost.
“At half-time, and deservedly so, was the wildest I’ve seen him in 72 games,” McGinn mentioned. “But he’s been brilliant not just for me, but for the country and the group.
“I feel he has a variety of video games left in him but. An enormous milestone however he is rightly offended. However he has once more received us in an ideal place in a qualifying group. That may’t be forgotten.”
Clarke earned a round of applause from his players for his achievement when he returned to the dressing room after the match, but his mood was only slightly better.
“I feel he was a bit extra disenchanted than offended,” McGinn said. “At half-time you could have issues to enhance and work on.
“Was it a wee bit better in the second half? Probably not. We’re not naïve enough to think that. But what we did do is get over the line.
“We all know precisely what we have to do subsequent month, two wins and we’re there.”
