THE FANS ARE BEHIND CLARKE
Assistant boss Carver scoffs at criticism and points to a full Hampden
TO SCOTLAND coach John Carver, criticism of manager Steve Clarke defies all footballing logic. Victory over Israel at a sold-out Hampden on Saturday would edge the Scots one step closer to securing a second-placed play-off slot for the World Cup finals in Qatar next year.
And, after ending a 23-year wait for a return to a major tournament by reaching the Euro 2020 finals, Carver describes the carping over Clarke’s methods as ‘strange’.
Criticism of team selections and tactics peaked after a Covidravaged side lost 2-0 to runaway Group F leaders Denmark in Copenhagen. Insisting that was unfair, Carver says: ‘I find it hard to understand how people can criticise him and I’ve been in this game a long, long time.
‘I’ve seen the work he’s done, I’ve seen the work other managers have done, and I’m a little bit disappointed when I do hear that criticism. I don’t read it. I don’t watch it on TV. But people tell me about it and I’m quite surprised, to be honest.
‘We’ve got to one major tournament after so many years and we’re on the verge of giving ourselves another opportunity.
‘And let’s face it, when the draw came out and you saw Denmark, Austria and to a lesser extent Israel, you’re thinking to yourself: “If we can get second place that would be remarkable”.
‘But we’re in the position where it’s in our hands and we have that chance, which is why I find the criticism a little bit strange.’
Scotland are second in Group F, a point clear of Israel, and victory over a wearily familiar qualifying foe this weekend would open up a four-point lead with four games to play. On Tuesday the Scots travel to the Faroe Islands and Carver cites the first Hampden sell-out in some time as evidence of supporters buying into the manager.
‘We are going into a situation now where we are playing against Israel on Saturday and we’ve got a full house,’ says Carver. ‘We haven’t had a full house for a long time.
‘That is a sign of what Steve has done and what the fans want to see. If you give them a product, they will follow you all over the world. I’ve seen that when I was growing up as a kid.
‘The Tartan Army went everywhere in the world, wherever they were playing they were there in their numbers, in their droves. I sense that this could be a time when that could be coming back again.
‘It would be great if it did happen but, like I say, the only real pressure I’ve seen is not from the public but from media guys. You might not like that but that’s just my honest opinion.’
The last time Scotland won a World Cup qualifier before a rocking Hampden, it didn’t count for much in the end.
Martin Skrtel’s last-minute Slovakia own goal in October 2017 elevated the Scots to second in the group and threatened to raise the roof from the national stadium. It wasn’t enough to secure a coveted place in the qualifying play-offs.
Gordon Strachan’s side travelled to Slovenia and missed out on a play-off after a gut-wrenching 2-2 draw. Speaking afterwards, Strachan blamed genetics. The SFA preferred to blame the manager.
Scotland now have a World Cup qualifying play-off place in their sights again and, to avoid another calamity, Carver knows what needs to happen. When well-oiled fans are losing their heads, Scotland’s players have to retain a clear focus. They can’t afford to get swept up in a toxic cloud of alcohol, tobacco and patriotism.
‘We’ve got to be calm as well because we know what’s at stake,’ states Carver.
‘We’ve got the momentum, we’re in the driving seat because we’ve turned it around slightly and it’s back in our hands. ‘We now need to keep it there and keep distance between ourselves, Israel and Austria. So we have to be calm. We have to try to find a way to break them down and win the game.’
Scotland home games are rarely an oasis of calm and relaxation. If the team could convert a few more of the chances they create, they might be. But Clarke’s side have an issue with scoring goals. And the last two times Israel have pitched up in Glasgow the game has finished even after 90 minutes.
To open up a four-point gap in second, the Scots need to spring a surprise on a coach who knows them so well Willi Ruttensteiner could recite the assorted works of Burns.
‘We’ve discussed that,’ admits Carver. ‘We’ve got one or two ideas — and we’ve also brought in Austin MacPhee, the set-play specialist who has done a great job at Aston Villa.
‘I’m not big on stats but I’m almost certain when you’re looking at World Cup finals and European Championships, the games that are so tight are usually decided by a set-play. I think the stats are quite high.
‘So that’s why Steve looked at the situation and realised we need a specialist. Austin did a little bit with the players this morning which was very impressive.
‘We’re hoping that’s going to give us the edge. It might be in the Israel game, it might be in the Faroe Islands game. But we’re always looking to freshen things up, looking for an edge. We’re always looking to see how we can dominate and beat the opposition.
‘But we have to stay calm. We might have to be patient. The fans showed in the last game against Moldova at home, when we were expected to win by three or four, that they stayed with the team.
‘We need that again on Saturday and I’m sure we’ll get it. They will be well lubricated but if they can help get us across the line and keep that gap between ourselves and Israel, it will make a big difference.’