I WON’T BE MAKING FALSE No 999 CALL
Ghosts of Prague make Clarke wary of fielding Christie as a emergency striker
The young ones have to stick together and come through as a group
Steve Clarke might look stern on the touchline but the Scotland boss has a dry sense of humour.
And at the moment he’s powerless to prevent the big smile across his face or the laughter that follows.
Clarke has just been asked if Celtic star Ryan Christie could play as a striker for his country – a ‘false nine’ to use the modern-day hipster vernacular.
It wasn’t the daftest suggestion in the world, given our shortage of top-class centre-forwards.
But Clarke can’t help himself.
Clearly thinking back to an infamous night in Prague almost a decade ago, he said: “If I do that, you’ll hang me up for not playing a striker. A false nine becomes a no nine!”
Poor Craig Levein, whose 4-6-0 formation backfired in a 1-0 loss to the Czechs, would certainly testify to that. But despite the jovial nature of Clarke’s response, it has a serious edge.
Scotland are overflowing with midfield options but still can’t find a centre-back pairing that could keep weans out of a close.
While we’ve got arguably the top leftback in the world, our best right-back is playing at Sheffield Wednesday.
And we’re toiling for frontmen too, with Steven Fletcher semi-retired from international football and Leigh Griffiths still in the wilderness at Celtic.
But in the middle? Clarke must spend most of his thinking time deciding which trio to pick.
Christie and his Celtic pal Callum McGregor are excelling at Parkhead both domestically and in Europe.
Scott McTominay has cemented a spot in the Manchester United team while John McGinn has been a revelation at Aston Villa.
Even Stuart Armstrong has forced his way back into the fold at Southampton and was terrific last week against Manchester City.
Ryan Jack at Rangers has taken his game to a different level this season, John Fleck looks at home in England’s top flight with Sheffield United – and Kenny
McLean has looked at home on the international stage.
Clarke has an embarrassment of riches in that area.
Christie could play wide or up top if necessary and the national coach has hinted that McGinn is playing so well he’s almost undroppable.
But as he weighed up the options ahead of the Euro 2020 dead rubber double-header against Cyprus and Kazakhstan, the Scotland boss said: “I know what you’re saying, Ryan’s a forward player and is forward thinking.
“But with Robert Snodgrass retiring, there’s a chance Ryan could play off the right coming in.
“James Forrest can also play there and Ryan Fraser’s back in the Bournemouth team, which is good.
“I was asked recently if we could play more midfielders but you get to a situation where you ask yourself: ‘Do I play seven of them?’
“No, we’ve got a system and a way of playing, which is 4-2-3-1.
“McGinn has found a role in there as the most advanced one but I have great options for the other positions.
“Christie and Armstrong can also play further forward. There’s great competition there.
“I can’t say it’s impossible to leave McGinn out – but he’s in a great run of form just now.”
McTominay’s performances at Old Trafford, during a turbulent spell under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, should get him a start in Nicosia on Saturday.
But he has genuine challengers for that deep-lying role, notably in the shape of Jack who is in the form of his life at Ibrox.
Clarke has been impressed with McTominay’s leadership qualities but knows exactly what Jack can add to Scotland’s already-strong midfield.
The manager said: “Scott’s developing, playing well and has nailed down a spot for Man United.
“He has shown when he has been picked for Scotland that he can do well – he’s a big, strong, athletic boy.
“Scott’s got a lot of good attributes but I don’t want to heap too much pressure on him. He’s a young kid so you have to give him time to develop.
“But he’s doing well. He has a good presence around the place and speaks well. He’s got a good attitude.
“Scott is box to box – you saw that against San Marino.
“He likes to bomb forward, in that inside position, but can also do the defensive job.
“In Belgium, he and Kenny McLean were a good defensive anchor. So
Scott can do both, he’s a modern-day midfielder.
“But Ryan’s playing well at Rangers and it’s nice to see him getting a few goals from midfield.
“He is one of a number of Scotland midfielders in great form.
“Hopefully he’s fit enough to be with us this time because I enjoyed working with Ryan and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”
Another midfielder chapping on the door is Chelsea ace Billy Gilmour.
At just 18, he’s now part of Frank Lampard’s squad at Stamford Bridge and recently started their Carabao Cup tie against Manchester United.
Along with young Hearts full-back Aaron Hickey, just 17, they’re two of the most prodigious talents we’ve got.
But Clarke is adamant it’s too early to include them in the full squad. He said: “I didn’t give serious consideration to Hickey. The young lad needs time to grow, develop and play.
“He has to get himself into the younger age groups and play some internationals there.
“It’s very important for the young ones to stick together, work together and come through as a group.
“Scot Gemmill is doing a decent job with them.
“You have to give young players time to grow. We’re not in a position where we have to force or push them in. People talk about Billy as well but we have fantastic midfield players just now.
“So that gives Billy time to develop. I know he has done well for the Under21s and it would be nice to see Hickey doing the same with the Under-19s or Under-21s.
“They need to play international football and get some experience there first.”