ROBBY TOLD TO FIND HIS RANGE’

STEVE CLARKE is already started the hunt for a long-term Scotland keeper to succeed veteran Craig Gordon.

And the Tartan boss has told Rangers keeper Robby McCrorie that he can’t afford to sit on the fringes at Ibrox forever.

McCrorie was drafted into Clarke’s squad for this week’s Nations League triple-header at the 11th hour after Gers teammate Jon McLaughlin was out injured.

But, while McCrorie watches McLaughlin and Allan McGregor battle it out for the No.1 spot at Ibrox, Clarke admits the 24-year-old needs more game time if he’s to be main contender to replace Gordon.

Gloves

The Hearts No.1 turns 40 before the end of the year and, with McGregor and David Marshall both hanging up their international gloves, Clarke (below) admits he’s running short of options.

He said: “It is an area that would give you some concern. It is something we are looking at.

“You are not always going to get three diamonds like McGregor, Marshall and Gordon at the same time. Hopefully we can find someone.

“We are looking around trying to find somebody with a granny that is Scottish that doesn’t really know they are Scottish. You are always looking!”

Asked if he has advised McCrorie to seek a loan move in the short term Clarke went on: “But then I’d be getting involved in club business and I wouldn’t expect a club manager to get involved in my business.

“It would help Robby if he was playing more regular football.

“More regular doesn’t mean to say playing every week. Obviously, Robby is 24 now. I am not sure what his contract situation is now.

“I would imagine that he is thinking at 24 that he needs to play matches.

“But I am not going to tell Rangers how to conduct their business.”

Meanwhile, Clarke has leapt to the defence of Ryan Porteous by insisting the Hibs defender has been ‘unfairly” branded as the bad boy of Scottish football.

Cheating

Porteous was accused of cheating by Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin, following his side’s defeat at Easter Road on Saturday.

Porteous won a penalty which led to a red card for Dons’ Irish defender Liam Scales.

On the ‘hothead’ tag Porteous has picked up, Clarke said: “I think unfairly. We should protect players if we can.

“You are there to be judged and some people will judge you the other way.

“I will only judge Ryan by what he does for us. I’ve found him to be a very enthusiastic, polite young man who is desperate to play for his country.”