The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Scots ‘wounded but not defeated’ as Covid-19 rips into Clarke’s squad
Andy Robertson h o p e s t h e Scotland players can rally and beat Israel for their absent team-mates.
Stuart Armstrong tested positive for C o v i d -1 9 yesterday, while Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie have also been ruled out of the three Scotland games after being identified as close contacts, along with one physiotherapist and one masseur.
Fu r t h e r blows came yesterday afternoon, with S c o tt Mc K e n n a , Liam Palmer and Oliver Burke withdrawing due to injury.
It has left Scotland wounded but not defeated, according to Robertson, who hopes the remaining players can do their colleagues justice.
“First and foremost, I hope everyone affected is safe, well and healthy,” said former Dundee United defender Robertson.
“They are just now and long may that continue. That’s the main thing.
‘But when these kind of things happen, it is gutting for the lads and gutting for the squad. We are one day away from playing this big game and you lose players from it.
“That’s part of the world we live in, sadly. We have had a couple of positive tests back at Liverpool in the last few weeks and so have other teams.”
Manager Steve Clarke called up a squad of 26 to deal with the games against Israel, Slovakia and the Czech Republic , but preparations have been severely disrupted by yesterday’s news.
“To lose three players of that quality so close to the game is never ideal,” added Robertson. “But these are the cards we have been dealt.
“The gaffer named a bigger squad and I think that has proven a wise decision because we have lost a couple to injury and now the virus.
“We need to rely on the whole squad and that’s what we’ll do. The manager called us all up knowing we were good enough to play for Scotland. It’s time we all go and prove that.”
For those that remain, the importance of the game is far from lost. Victory for Scotland against Israel, with whom they drew 1-1 last month, will put them one step closer to a major tournament.
The winners will go on to face Serbia or Norway, away from home, for a place in the European Championships.
Clarke said: “I have some difficult decisions to make, some other decisions to make in terms of team selection which really is my main focus now.
“Ho p e f u l l y everyone involved will come through with no issues, the health
of anybody important than of football.
“I have now spoken to all three players involved in the situation, they are very disappointed not to be involved in such a big game. Everyone else has had a negative test.
“Now as the national manager I have to make sure we get the team on the pitch in the right frame of mind and ready to go for a positive result.
“We were working towards one team and now we have to change that. We moved the training back to this afternoon.
“We have a little bit of time to work on one or two different things, one or two different players coming into the team that maybe didn’t expect to play.
“A l though i t disappointing for the
is more any game i s ones
who have had to drop out because of the situation, the ones who are going to get a chance to play – what an opportunity.
“I am not really one for big speeches. I trust my players, their mentality and attitude to get it right on these big occasions.
“Rather than a big Braveheart speech it will be calm, measured words to tr y and help them get through the game and get the right result for the country.”
If Scotland get past Israel they have the chance to reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998.
Clarke said: “Professional players know when they are taking part in a big game. Since we came into this camp there has been a little edge. I know the players are ready.”