Scotland: The place do head coach Steve Clarke and squad stand forward of first World Cup qualifiers? | Soccer Information

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 in opposition to Liechtenstein, strikers had been among the many targets following a prolonged drought and teenager Lennon Miller impressed on his first begin.

However this was a staff ranked 205th on this planet 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 turn out to be the primary Scotland males’s facet to achieve the World Cup since 1998.

So is it time to be nervous or optimistic?

What does the shape e-book 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 protecting the Euros, Nations League and friendlies.

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.

Excuses could possibly be made for that efficiency in isolation – finish of an extended season, gamers celebrating league wins and cup trophies.

However Scotland have gained simply one in all their final 9 at Hampden Park.

Enjoying Liechtenstein was a giant danger. Defeat to the staff ranked 205th on this 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?

Clarke is into his seventh yr as Scotland head coach and, no matter occurs, it could possibly be his final.

He has already stated there’s a “75 per cent probability” he won’t 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?

There isn’t a doubt the 61-year-old has overseen one in all Scotland’s greatest spells in current reminiscence and he has repeatedly proved his doubters flawed.

Reaching back-to-back European Championships after 24 years of failing to qualify is a big 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.

Assistant boss John Carver has now left after 5 years to give attention to his membership job as supervisor of Lechia Gdansk with Clarke making discovering his alternative one in all 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 serious event, if he stays, there isn’t a doubt he shall be focusing on a bit extra historical past earlier than he departs the dugout by reaching the World Cup.

Goalkeeping woes

Fixing the goalkeeper difficulty 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 on account of Gunn’s damage solely to be at fault for all three targets.

Clarke stated post-match “he wasn’t prepared and that is okay” and it was not dangerous judgement by the top coach to provide 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.

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 should not prepared and in a position to play.

Midfield dilemma

There isn’t a doubt midfield is the strongest space of Scotland’s staff, however how can Clarke get the very best from these gamers?

Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn ought to dictate matches – however in opposition to Iceland however they had been arrange in such a method that allowed the opposition to run by way of all of them too simply.

Damage 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 will even be again within the combine for the World Cup qualifiers which means the top coach could have some large choices to make.

McTominay performed centrally as an attacking drive for Napoli all season as they gained Serie A, one thing Clarke will little doubt have on his thoughts as he appears to keep away from one other downturn.

Striker options

There was a putting downside for Scotland.

Adams scored a hat-trick in opposition to Liechtenstein, however he was the primary striker to seek out the online in over a yr.

He netted 10 targets 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 purpose for his nation since June 2022.

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 prime, however it’s maybe a system he ought to think about extra repeatedly.

New wave of Scotland gamers

One large 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 damage, 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 purpose.

Andy Irving, Connor Barron, Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie additionally made appearances.

The typical age of Clarke’s debutants was 22, which means there’s trigger for optimism for the longer term.