THE BIG INTERVIEW
McFadden say Clarke will be raring to go after 290 days in the cold
Scotland’s first competitive game in 10 months is less than four weeks away.
When Israel come to Hampden Park on September 4 for the Nations League Group F opener, it will be the Dark Blues’ first 90 minutes since they defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 on November 19, 2019.
The Euro 2020 Play-off semi-final against Israel should have been played in March, but was postponed due to Covid-19. It will now take place on October 8.
James McFadden was part of Alex McLeish’s backroom staff when they clinched a play-off place 18 months ago, so he knows his way around the international set-up.
The frustration of not seeing players for three or four months at a time is shared by all national gaffers.
But this gap has been extraordinary, and McFadden feels national boss Steve Clarke will be absolutely buzzing to get back on the training field with the squad.
The former Kilmarnock and West Brom boss will name his squad later this month, and McFadden told The Sunday Post: “Managers at international level need to get used to the stop-start element of their job.
“But this has been unprecedented for Steve and his staff. It’s been a helluva long wait.
“That’s why he will be so looking forward to being involved again.
“He will be ready. The preparation will be spot on. He will be desperate to get started.
“It will be interesting to see how he views the game next month.
“It’s obviously one he will want to win to get the feelgood factor around the place.
“But he may well have one eye on the game the following month. It’s the Euro 2020 play-off and there is so much at stake.
“He might use the September game to try one or two things that he has in mind for October. We will wait and see.
“There would have been things he would have been set on for the March fixture. But with that being postponed, then there may well be a clean slate.
“Some players who might have been available then, may not be available now, or vice-versa.
“Some players might have been flying in March, and in top form, but haven’t had a game in the past three or four weeks. So it’s hard to judge their current form.
“One of the big plus points must be the re-emergence of Kieran Tierney. He is in brilliant form for Arsenal.
“I don’t think he was available for last March due to injury, but he is right in the mix now.
“Whether he is playing at wingback, full-back or left side of a three-man central defence, he is totally comfortable. There is no risk involved with Kieran.
“He will be absolutely buzzing just now, and so will Andy Robertson.
One of the big plus points must be the re-emergence of Kieran Tierney. He is in brilliant form for Arsenal