Clarke says he ‘expects good news’ soon on fans
Steve Clarke is convinced the Scottish Government will shortly announce measures preparing the way for at least some supporters to be allowed back inside Hampden when Scotland kick-off their Euro 2020 campaign against Czech Republic.
The Scotland manager believes such an announcement will prove a votes winner before the Scottish elections on 6 May.
Scotland are understood to be lining up two friendlies before the opening game of their first major finals appearance in 23 years against the Czechs on 14 June.
The Scots then face England at Wembley on 18 June before returning to Hampden for a potentially crucial clash with Croatia on 22 June. The last time Scotland played a home game in front of fans was a 3-1 win against Kazakhstan in November 2019, when 19,151 fans were present.
“I think with elections coming up I am expecting some good news to come out from the government,” said Clarke.
“There will be at least a few fans in the stadium. It obviously won’t be a full house, but if we can get some members of the Tartan Army in here they will make enough noise. It would be good. Listen, the
more we can open up the more freedom we can all have and it will be nice.” The Scottish FA is still finalising the details of two friendlies prior to the Czech Republic match, which will be ten weeks away on Monday. The Netherlands have been suggested as possible opponents.
“‘There is always talk and speculation and we have been consistent on this one,” said Clarke. “We know what we want to do but until we get the go-ahead from the people who make these decisions there is no point putting out a plan.”
Clarke’s next job is to name a pool of players for the Euros. He was glad that the 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands on Wednesday helped clear some of the gloom generated by draws in the previous two games against Austria and Israel.
Scotland are now second in Group F and will remain there until September at least, when they resume World Cup qualifying with a tough run of fixtures starting against Denmark.
Clarke will begin to put serious thought into his Euros squad next week, after spending the Easter weekend in England with his grandchildren.
He stressed players such as Celtic's James Forrest, inset, who is on the comeback trail after injury, still have time to stake a claim for a place through good performances at their club.
“I have some definites,” he said. “But I think I have shown with selection for this squad there is room for other people to come into the squad if they can impress me enough.
"You don’t want to put a number on it because there might be players out there hoping they can impress me enough to be involved. I don’t want to close that door on them.’