DOOR OPENS FOR BROWN
over the Group F whipping boys needed to clinch a place in the World Cup play-offs.
Clarke was already prepping for the absence of Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie due to suspension but his plans have been hit with an added disruption after Manchester United ace Scott McTominay was forced to withdraw due to illness.
Dykes’ absence could now open the door for Stoke striker Brown to start just days after being handed his first call-up, while Hearts stopper Souttar is also looking to force his way back into Clarke’s line-up after finally putting two years of injury hell behind him.
Selecting either would be a major call ahead of such a momentous clash but Clarke played it cool as he backed both players to handle the pressure.
The Hampden boss said: “I think I have proved over my time as Scotland head coach that if I feel a player is right to go in and play the games then that’s what I will do.
“If I feel they can play from the start and help us, or come off the bench and help us, then I’ve never had a real issue. If I pick a player for a squad it’s because I think they can do a job on the pitch.
“Both lads have done well in training so that’s always nice to see for both of them, for different reasons.
“It’s Jacob’s first camp and funnily enough he knew almost none of the players which is unusual in football. Normally your paths have crossed a little bit.
“So he was a little bit nervous when he first came in but the lads have made him feel at home and he’s trained well, which is good.
“And big John after a horrendous time with injuries has come back into the camp and fitted in seamlessly. John was in my very first camp way back in June 2019 and then he has had a horrendous run of injuries. It’s a great story he’s back with us already.
“I have three players on that side of the pitch – Jack Hendry, Scott McTominay and John Souttar – who can all defend well, which is important because when I play them I need them to defend well. But they can also contribute by breaking into midfield and making passes from the back.
“All three are really good options for us.”
The loss of McTominay is a blow but Clarke hopes the classy Old Trafford star will be back in time to face runaway group leaders Denmark on Monday night.
He said: “Almost everyone is fine. We lost Scott to illness. He picked up a virus so we sent him home.
“It’s not Covid-related, it’s more like a tonsillitis type thing. He’s gone home for a few nights and hopefully he can rejoin us at the weekend but we will just play that one by ear.
“I’ve got good cover in both positions Scott can play, at centre-back and in midfield. It’s a big chance for someone else.”
Victory at the Zimbru Stadium would leave the nation just 180 minutes away from reaching their first World Cup in 24 years.
But Clarke is refusing to get carried away and added: “For us it would be reasonable success, or a reasonable step forward.
“But if we do manage to secure second place we want to go to the play-offs and win two more matches and get to the World Cup because ultimately that’s what we want.”