CLARKE WILL GET IT RIGHT
Lukaku backs boss to kickstart Scots
ROMELU LUKAKU last night insisted his former boss Steve Clarke will haul Scotland out of this slump and make the team a force again.
The Belgium superstar striker scored the first goal in his country’s 4-0 rout at Hampden on Monday then offered the Scots some consolation by claiming that Clarke – his gaffer at West Brom – is the best man to resurrect their fading fortunes.
Inter Milan’s £80million ace Lukaku said: “I worked
FROM BACK PAGE with Steve and he will get it right for Scotland.
“When we were at West Brom a lot of people didn’t think we would get to the position we did [eighth in the Premier League] but we did.
“If you give Steve time he will get it right.
“He is the right man to give young players a chance and test them.”
Scotland still have a chance of making Euro 2020 via the play-offs after their Nations League exploits but they would need to find a form quickly and get through two ties.
They are likely to face a semi-final against Bulgaria or Israel and a final against Serbia or Norway.
Lukaku knows Scotland have talent because he has seen it first-hand with the likes of Scott McTominay, whom he played alongside at Manchester United. He also faced Ryan Fraser in England’s top flight.
He said: “Scott can be extremely important for Scotland but he is not the only one – you have a lot of good talents coming through.
“You have Ryan, who I like a lot, and also Oliver Burke – he was at West Brom and is a good player. He has a lot of pace.
“You just have to develop them and work hard. If you do that then things will improve.”
Lukaku knows Scotland are suffering but has pointed to his own country who have rocketed from toiling to No.1 in the world.
The Belgian federation ripped things up and started again with their “La vision de formation” blueprint in 2006.
That helped lay down the pathway for the current generation of stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard.
Lukaku explained: “Belgium is a small nation but it all starts in the academy, you have to give players a chance and also give them time to develop.
“In Belgium the clubs are helping, they are sending players to teams where they can play a lot.
“I think you see the benefit of that.
“It wasn’t always like this, you have to be patient if you want to improve.”