MANAGER TIPS BROWN TO BE A ‘PEST’

mark at international level like Che Adams after following a similar path by battling back from being let go early in his career. Clarke said: ‘Jacob was absolutely buzzing when I called him to tell him he was involved — really, really excited. ‘He comes with a hunger having been rejected. He was released as a young kid (by Sheffield Wednesday) and then had to find a way back to senior football through non-league at Guiseley before going to Barnsley. ‘It’s not a dissimilar journey to the one Che Adams made and hopefully he can do as well for us as Che has done. He’s a wee bit different from Che Adams. He’s a pest, he’s energetic — if you’re a defender you know you’re in a game because he’s constantly asking questions of you. ‘He’s done great for Stoke playing up front as a striker beside big Steven Fletcher. ‘Fletch has given me a good recommendation through a third party. If Steven is recommending him, then you know he’s got something.’ With national team talisman Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie suspended for the Moldova match, Adams is expected to lead the line after scoring two goals in his last two games for Southampton at Chelsea and Watford.

Clarke said: ‘Hopefully we’ve got Che in the middle of a goal run. I like him as a player and I like what he brings to the team. He and Lyndon work well together. They won’t be together this time but, if Che is on the pitch, then I have no doubts he can do a really good job for us.’ As revealed by Sportsmail last week, Scotland will head to La Finca in Spain to prepare for their double header in Moldova on November 12 and Denmark at Hampden three days later. And Clarke expects to be able to call upon Kieran Tierney (pictured) despite the defender not playing for Arsenal since October 18. ‘I think Kieran will be on the plane and, if he’s on the plane, he will be fit. That’s my opinion,’ said Clarke. ‘Obviously, you have to respect the club and the club are telling us he’s working his way back to fitness. ‘They are hopeful he could be involved this weekend (against Watford on Sunday). ‘But if he gets a few days training in, then fine. ‘We don’t play until a week on Friday, so he’s got time on his side. I expect that Kieran will be fit.’ Clarke selected Jon McLaughlin and Zander Clark as back-ups to first-choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon. But the Scotland boss has not fully closed the door on David Marshall, who played at Euro 2020 but has since fallen out of favour at Derby County. Clarke said: ‘I spoke to David earlier in the summer and he understands why I haven’t selected him. ‘Recently, he’s been back on the bench, which is a step forward. ‘David knows once he gets back into a team and if he’s playing well — back to the level he was before — he will always be in my thoughts.’