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Clarke admits persuading Dykes and Adams to join Scotland’s cause was key to evolution as finals contenders National gaffer put priority on sourcing a top-class striker...

Scotland. So you have to scout well. You have to know who is available.

“Dyksey has scored some very important goals for us.

“But he had a choice. He wasn’t born here, he’s from Australia. But both of his parents and his partner are from Scotland and his child was born here.

“So that dragged him back towards us a little bit.

“Che was different in that he, quite rightly, felt as though he had the talent to get involved with England.

“He wanted to see how that panned out when he was younger. But I think we got the timing just right.

“We moved for him because he wanted to play international football and play on a bigger stage. Finally, he chose to come and play for us.

“Getting those two on board has certainly made us a better team because we were a bit short in the striking department.

“When you have qual i t y frontmen, it helps.

“Jacob is the most recent one. The Tartan Army haven’t seen much of him but he’s had a fantastic year in the Championship with Stoke who were mid-table.

“They’re not a prolific team but he scored 14 with a few assists.

“So I think we’re looking good in that department now. I’ve now added Ross Stewart as well who’s a Scottish boy and a late developer.

“He’ll join us on a high after scoring the goal to get Sunderland back to the Championship.

“It’s obviously me who goes and has the conversation with these players and I’m always honest with them.

“I lay down where I see them being in the squad.

“But I also have to mention others. Don’t forget, it was Oli, Callum and Leigh Griffiths who went to Serbia when we qualified for the Euros.

“Without the success of that team, it could have become harder to get these boys on board. So it’s credit to them, more than me.

“Hopefully, if there are others out there they’ l l look at what Che and Lyndon have done and want to be part of it.

“The more successful you are, the more people will want to play for you.”

Physical ly, Scotland are in good shape.

Only Kieran Tierney is missing for the crunch game against Ukraine and it looks like a young, hungry squad Clarke can pick from.

But he feels this side have progressed mentally over his three-year stint as well. The body blows o f

some gain experience and hopefully we can show that over the next two games.

“Certainly in the Ukraine game, we hope it will help get us over the line.

“We also have the Tartan Army this time, which we didn’t have against Israel.

“If they are loud and get behind us, as you’ve seen in the last couple of home games, the atmosphere is fantastic. early, sobering defeats, the ultimate “If we can harness that, keep the high of Belgrade and reaching a major spirits up and give the fans tournament , to not ful ly do something to shout about, they can themselves justice at Euro 2020. see us through the game.”

All of that, as well as an impressive A victory over Ukraine would lead charge to second place in their us to the final in Wales next Sunday, World Cup qualifying group, has with a place at Qatar 2022 up for grabs. strengthened their mindset according There’s a desire within the Scotland to the manager. camp to get back to another

And he feels they can use it to their tournament quickly – and put right advantage in midweek. the wrongsg of Euro 2022.

The Scotland boss said: Clarke wwill feel that as “It ’ s important,t, the well. But for now, he just evolution of the teamam wants to get there.

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got nd few heavy wwhen you think

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t aga inst Israell at hhavav e a l s o had a Hampden and Serbiabia away worldwide pandemic. in the play- offs. “So it’s been a completely different and strange three years.

“But for me it’s always been on an upward curve.

“I could see signs that this group of players was going to improve and I think they have.

“Let’s concentrate on these games, get through them.

“If and when we get to Qatar then we’ll try and improve on what we did in the Euros.”

“Another big moment was the actual tournament itself, playing in it and getting that experience together as a group.

“We had a good feeling when we left Wembley and put on a good show against England.

“Then we had the disappointment of the Croatia game.

“Those highs and lows are part of football. As you go through them, you