Lambert slams UEFA over Euro 2020 play-off plan

BY GAVIN BERRY be picking rusty players while Israel, if they decide to return to action, could be fitter if the tie takes place.

Lambert has sympathy for Clarke as he does with all fellow bosses who currently find themselves in limbo.

He told Record Sport: “This virus has still to peak so my guess would be Scotland’s game against Israel won’t take place in June.

“I don’t know how UEFA can say this when nobody has a clue what is going to happen with this virus.

“But if it does Steve has the issue of the amount of football his players have had. got was a cop out. The fact they batted the decision over when domestic leagues will resume means it’s up to each individual league and that could lead to problems.

“Let’s say for example the Israeli domestic league starts playing again, behind closed doors or whatever, but the Scottish and English leagues don’t.

“That means Andi Herzog could be selecting fitter players than Steve and is at an advantage. It’s really hard to fathom.”

Lambert was part of the last Scotland squad to reach a major championships when he went to the France 98 World Cup under Craig Brown.

There is a huge amount riding on the clash with Israel yet it’s likely that players will barely have kicked a ball in the build-up.

He is encountering the same problems at Ipswich in League One with English football chiefs set to review their decision to suspend leagues early next month.

Lambert said: “Players train to have a competitive edge but if they’ve had a three-month break and go into a game of that magnitude it would be really difficult.

“But the biggest thing for me is the uncertainty and trying to set timescales. We’re waking up every morning or switching on the