LITTLE GOES A LONG CHE
Clarke says he’s made no deal with Adams about Euros and insists he’s got to prove himself in Austria clash
HE swears there have been no deals done under the table. No guarantees given or asked for over a nailed down place in his squad for this summer’s Euros.
But Steve Clarke knows the score. And so do the rest of us.
If Che Adams didn’t think he was on a promise to play a part on the big stage the chances are the 24-year-old probably wouldn’t have decided he’s got enough Scottish blood in his veins after all to suddenly make the big switch
Not that it should be held against him. Nor the manager for that matter.
This may well be a marriage of convenience – coming three years after the player turned down a similar call from Alex McLeish – but it just might prove to be a masterstroke where Clarke’s whirlwind romance with the Scotland job is concerned.
All of a sudden, the national team is building up its firepower just as Scotland’s finals return comes into view.
“I’m not so sure it was a case that there was a big reluctance for him to get into the Scotland set-up,” Clarke insisted yesterday after confirming Record Sport’s exclusive of the Southampton striker’s imminent defection, coming across the border from the dark side.
“You have to remember, this conversation he had with Alex was years ago when he was only a young man finding his way in the English Championship at the time he was at Birmingham.
“So you can understand he didn’t want to commit early.
“His career has obviously continued in an upwards path and he’s got into the Premier League with Southampton where he’s doing very well.
“Recently he’s been doing really well, scoring goals and looking like a player who can play on the international stage. And thankfully he’s chosen us. I didn’t have to work particularly hard to persuade him.
“We spoke mainly about the long-term benefits of being a Scottish international. I was saying that at 24 he’s at a great age to come into international football, which is something which still grates a little bit with me. I had six caps but you can’t call that an international career.
“It’s great to represent your country six times but I’d rather it was 60 times.
“For Che, at his age and with the ability he’s got, hopefully he can go on and have 60-odd games for Scotland.”
But pressed if part of the deal to lure him was the sweetener of a place in this summer’s finals Clarke shook his head.
He said: “I gave no guarantees. The Euros is a separate tournament, he’s coming in for these World Cup games and there are no guarantees for the European finals. You can’t give guarantees – that’s not possible – because you never know what’s going to happen.”
It seems highly unlikely, however, that either Clarke or Adams would have chosen to go this far unless both men had big plans for this summer.
In fact, Clarke was prepared to make room for his arrival by scrawling red lines through names such as Leigh Griffiths, Lawrence Shankland and Oliver Burke – leaving all three out of his squad for a World Cup qualification triple-header with Austria, Israel and the Faroes.
It does feel like an upgrade. No doubt about it.
But asked if the reason for
Adams’ late change of heart might now come under scrutiny Clarke said: “So, what? After six, seven, eight games he’s going to do what?
“Look, it has to be longer than that. That’s why we spoke about long term. Listen, if you’re successful as an international team then people are going to be more attracted to play for you. That goes without saying.
“But I don’t think that was the be-all and the end-all for Che.
“The fact that he wants to have an international career is the be-all and end-all.
“If you go down that other route then you’re saying that after the Euros he’ll back off and
He’s coming these in for games World Cup and there no are guarantees the Euro for finals
STEVE CLARKE CHE ADAMS ON GETTING TO PLAY FOR SCOTLAND
not want to play for Scotland again. But that’s definitely not the Che Adams I spoke to.
“He wasn’t prepared to play for Scotland when he was a 19/20-year-old kid who didn’t know which way his career was going to go. I think you have to respect that.
“He had only played two friendlies for England’s Under20s, it’s not like it’s a massive jump from England to Scotland.
“He’s got Scottish blood, his grandparents I believe are from Edinburgh, so the bloodline is there. I just don’t think you can judge a 19 or 20-year-old harshly.
“He just wanted to see which way his career went. I actually think it was a mature decision, rather than being rushed into doing something.
“I believe we tried to get him to play for the Under-21s as well but he wanted to see how his career developed. Now his career has developed a little bit more and he’s chosen Scotland. So that’s fantastic.”
Adams and fellow recent recruit Lyndon Dykes will now battle it out to lead Scotland’s attack, backed up by Oli McBurnie and another new boy, Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet.
Clarke said: “He’s going to bring different qualities. But let’s not forget Lyndon who has done terrific for the national team with two goals in seven games which is a good return.
“Che is not as tall and isn’t such an aerial target. But he holds the ball up really well and links the game.
“He has a little bit of pace to play in behind and plays well off the last defender.
“Those are qualities that other strikers in the squad maybe don’t have with the exception of Kevin Nisbet.
“He has similar qualities to Che but Che is doing it every week in the English Premier League which is a really strong level.
“He will definitely improve the team.”