COME ON SCOTLAND
We’ve suffered months of lockdown and now they’ve even gone and shut the pubs again, so come on lads.. let’s put a smile on everyone’s face by beating Israel tonight. We’re right behind you!
STEVE CLARKE and Andy Robertson have vowed to bring a smile to the face of a nation sickened by Covid. The Scotland manager and his captain have sent a message to the three team- mates who were ruled out of tonight’s Euro play-off with Israel due to coronavirus protocols.
Stuart Armstrong tested positive for the virus and was immediately si d el i ned along with Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie, who were in close contact with him and must now self-isolate for 14 days. Their absence is a hammer blow to Clarke’s preparations for the
Hampden showdown but Robertson is adamant his squad is motivated by the belief a win will lift the gloom being felt around the country.
He said: “We hope to provide that. The world is in a crazy time in at the minute. If a couple of football results can help unite a nation and maybe lift people’s spirits a bit then we will try that.
“We are fighting for something that, as big as it was, is probably bigger now. We are going through some very strange times. People maybe don’t have a lot to look forward to in terms of all the restrictions in place and things like that.
“If we can play a small part in trying to lift the nation and trying to help get us through this hard time then that is extra motivation for us. The motivation is already high but we should use anything to get that wee bit higher.
“We know it is going to be tough. We need to be at our best to even get into the final. But we look to go with everything we have and hopefully we’ll show that.”
The captain and manager reckon the squad is also fired up by the knowledge that the three missing players – and injured trio Liam Palmer, Scott McKenna and Oli Burke – would be back for the play-off final against Norway or Serbia on November 12.
Robbo said: “First and foremost, I hope everyone affected is safe, well and healthy. They are just now and long may that continue. That’s the main thing.
“But when these kind of things happen, it is gutting for the lads and gutting for the squad. We are one day away from playing this big game and you lose players from it.
“That’s part of the world we live in sadly. We have had a couple of positive tests back at Liverpool in the last few weeks and so have other teams.
“Unfortunately it is something we now need to learn to deal with. It’s up to us to concentrate on the game. We have all been informed and know what’s going on. The lads who are fit and healthy will be ready for the game. That’s all we can do.
“Unfortunately we can’t help the other lads in any way. They need to isolate on their own, so it is up to us to do them proud and do the country proud because we know the lads will be gutted to miss this game.”
Clarke admitted he had huge sympathy for the Covid-affected trio.
He said: “All three are really disappointed, as you could imagine. It’s a massive game and it’s a big blow for them to miss it, as well as it’s a big blow for us to be without them.
“What it does is give an opportunity to people who maybe thought they weren’t starting in the game. I had shown the team on the training pitch. But it’ll be a big opportunity now for other players to come in and do well for us.
“It’s just difficult for everybody, with Stuart the one who tested positive and then two of his teammates because of their close proximity to him.
“All we can do is make sure we get the right result and they’re involved again in November.”
Tierney has been left disappointed. He tested negative and said: “I have adhered to all regulations and made sure I was socially distancing from my teammates in the hotel.
“I know Arsenal and the SFA are now in discussions with the Scott i sh authorities to gain a further understanding.”