Time to take off shackles and be forward thinking

THAT’S the thing about “good character” – it should be the bare minimum.

And for that reason it’s also invariably used as a cop-out for failing to reach the maximum.

Steve Clarke’s words after deadlock in Israel – echoing his summary of the draw with Austria – did little to lift the feeling of lethargy enveloping the national team again.

This at a time when we should be swaggering towards our first major tourney since forever. To be fair, there’s never any doubt about the attitude of this group of players.

But it’s time for more. All right isn’t enough.

We should have been targeting the maximum from the opening three qualifiers. Instead, two points from six leaves a mountain to climb, likely requiring to bloody the nose of Denmark and Austria on the way.

Given we’ve not beaten a top seed in a qualifying group since James McFadden’s 40yarder in Paris 14 years ago, few would be betting on that happening.

Yet with this squad, why shouldn’t we?

Clarke is blessed with arguably the best group of players Scotland have had since 1998. It’s very un-Scottish but our strengths lie in attacking teams, so it’s time to take the shackles off.

The opening 45 minutes in Tel Aviv were horrendous. Passive, reactive, standing off and inviting shot after shot. It was the same at home to Austria. Only when we went behind did the good character come out.

Where was the gallus approach that saw us pin back Serbia in Belgrade for 90 minutes when the pressure was on just four months ago?

We need to change the mindset. Start Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes together against the Faroes tomorrow.

The former’s direct running and goal threat combined with the latter’s power, hold-up play and work rate would be enough to get even the most disheartened Tartan Army footsoldier’s blood pumping again.

Press, harass and play in their half. Get the supply right from the flanks, where we have the tools, and supplement it with John McGinn or Ryan Christie supporting from midfield.

Go after a victory that would not just boost goal difference but give

Where was the gallus approach that saw us pin back Serbia four months ago?

confidence a shot in the arm and have us bouncing into the Euros with the belief we do deserve to be there.

Then, by the time the trip to Denmark comes around on September 1, maybe we could be in a position to pull off a game-changing result on the road to Qatar.

Good character? It’s time for that to be translated into grabbing a game by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle and showing who’s boss.

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