DEVLIN: IT’S STILL ALL TO PLAY-OFF FOR
BY SCOTT BURNS MIKEY DEVLIN admits the job Steve Clarke and Scotland now face is simply building positivity ahead of the play-offs.
The Aberdeen star has joined up with the national squad ahead of the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Russia and San Marino.
Automatic qualification is now a thing of the past after the recent defeats to the Russians and Belgium and Devlin is well aware it’s all about getting things right for the Nations League play-off finals in March.
He said: “We have to build to the play-offs, that was the note we left on.
“The Belgium game was tough but that is behind us now and we need to start building some positives towards these play-off games.”
The uncapped defender is well aware of the disappointment over the last double header and reckons it has been hard for manager Clarke as he came after the campaign had kicked off.
Devlin said: “In terms of results, there needs to be an element of realism. Firstly of the level of opposition we played in those two games in September and the new manager only had two one-week sessions with the players.
“That is the only time he has had to work with the players and to get his ideas across. A club manager will maybe get four or five weeks in pre-season before going into a competitive game.
“The gaffer of Scotland gets a week ahead of two massive qualifiers.
“But Steve has been brilliant with his training. There is an intensity there and he is very clear in what he wants us to do.
“I believe we are heading in the right direction and the longer the manager is given to work with the boys, I’ve no doubt we’ll get there.”