Steve: Do it for the absent Tartan Army
STEVE CLARKE has named his squad for next week’s make-or-break Euro 2020 play-off with Israel – and urged his players to write their names into history on behalf of the missing Tartan Army.
Clarke had previously urged the authorities to let fans back into Hampden for the semi-final
showdown that could carry the nation to within 90 minutes of a first major finals in more than 22 years.
But the coronavirus spike means Scotland’s supporters will be forced to remain in lockdown next Thursday, just as they were earlier this month when Clarke’s side escaped with a 1-1 draw against the Israelis in an unconvincing Nations League dress rehearsal.
And now Clarke is demanding his players stand up to take one for the team as the entire country nears a moment of destiny.
He said: “Not having the fans back is definitely not ideal but it’s one of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the situation we all find ourselves in.
“The crowd won’t be there but they’ ll be watching in other ways, hopefully safely and socially-distanced.
“They won’t be there in body but I’m sure they’ll be with us in spirit so we need to make sure come next Thursday night, they’ve all got a smile on their faces.
“Players in general, not just our group, like to perform in front of a crowd. It’s probably no different to an actor or actress in the theatre.
“The reason you want to be on the stage or on the pitch is to perform in front of people.
“Football without fans can be difficult. There have been a lot of good, exciting games behind closed doors but without the fans and the passion they bring, it’s just not the same. We miss that.
“But we have to make sure we are intense because we understand the magnitude of the game and what it means to everybody. We are all determined to make sure we get the right result.
“We don’t need a full house to know how important this game is. It’s been on the cards for over a year now – we always knew this game was going to be the big one.
“So finally it’s almost here and the players are looking forward to it because they’ve had such a long wait, the tension’s been building all the time.”
Clarke recalled Sheffield Uni ted st r i ker Ol i McBurnie and Newcastle winger Ryan Fraser as well as drafting in Hibs defender Ryan Porteous.
He added: “This is an opportunity for them to write a little bit of history.
“To write themselves into history, create history for Scottish football.
“It would be a great achievement and we are all aware of how much it means to everybody. The players are especially aware because they all want to be involved in a major final.
“I played at the top level but didn’t get the chance to represent my country at a major final, if I could do it as a manager it’d be great.
“But it’s the same for the players. They know every tournament that passes us by without qualification is one tournament closer to the end of their careers.
“We have a good squad, at a good age and we’re starting to pick up a lot of experience and caps. But it does get to the stage where you have to say, ‘Come on, it’s time to qualify!’ Hopefully this will be it.”