Scots gaffer is betting on a dash to be part of plans
makes his final group they won’t be at Euro 2020 to make up the numbers.
Clarke used 23 players in six days on the road as the Scots beat Serbia on penalties to reach the finals, then lost Nations League ties 1-0 in Slovakia and Israel.
He has others like crocks James Forrest and Ryan Fraser still to return.
The gaffer has revived Scotland in less than 18 months in charge, and now has competition for places all over the park. Clarke said: “I have a group of players who want to improve. They want to be here.
“Israel was our third game in less than a week and every single player was fit and available for selection.
“That’s probably the first time that’s ever happened.
“There will be a fight to be in the 23 this summer. That is what we want, that is the target for them. They are all going back to their clubs but they’ll need to play well and stay fit and healthy.
“Of course we are thinking about the summer but the next stage for them is these qualifiers in March.
“That’s the road I’m going down. The picture can change a lot in five months.”
Clarke will focus on the opening World Cup qualifiers for Qatar 2022 before the June clashes with the Czech Republic, England and Croatia at Euro 2020.
He added: “The play-off route via the Nations League has gone – we’ll just need to qualify from the group. That has got to be the aim. We are hoping for a nice draw.
“It’s a bit unusual to have qualifiers before then going to the Euros but there’s no reason we can’t go in to these games with a lot of confidence and belief.
“It’s always a challenge if you want to improve.
“We want to go and compete in these games.”