Familiarity with Israelis hasn’t bred contempt for Clarke, but real respect
Steve Clarke has warned Willi Ruttensteiner that Scotland will not fall victim to any of his mind games.
His side tackle Israel once again on Saturday in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Hampden.
Win, and do the same away to the Faroes on Tuesday week and Moldova next month, and they will secure a play-off place as group runners-up.
However, the situation is delicately poised, with a very similar pathway to Qatar 2022 still open to the visitors, who sit one point behind Clarke’s side.
And the manager needs no reminding that, despite boss Ruttensteiner’s public protestations that Scotland have a stronger squad, Israel can boast a win and a draw in the two meetings since the Euro Play-off Final, which we won on penalties.
“Willi is still in charge, so let’s see what he throws in this time,” said Clarke. “Whatever he says, it won’t affect the game.”
Ruttensteiner based his argument on the presence in the Scotland squad of English Premier League stars such as Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong.
Yet, while not playing down their influence, Clarke argues the closeness of recent meetings tells its own story.
He points out, too, that Israel’s attacking trio of Eran Zahavi, Munas Dabbur and Manor Solomon would be a threat in any company.
“We have boys playing in the EPL – and more than holding their own – and that’s helping us to improve as a country,” Clarke continued. “John McGinn, for example, is consistently performing with Aston Villa.
“He was good against Manchester United in the match they won, but better in the one they lost at Chelsea a couple of weeks earlier.
“Scott McTominay is playing in the Manchester United midfield every week. He has been a big player for me in the past, and it’s nice to have him back.
“He didn’t make the last camp, and we showed we can compete without him. So he will need to come in and be good in the build-up.
“We are starting to get good competition for places from the lads who play in England, Scotland or wherever.
“But every game against Israel has been very tight, and I think it will be tight this time again.
“There is a lot at stake and, hopefully, the big crowd at Hampden will help us get over the line.”
Scotland’s back line will perhaps need the support of their team-mates more than that of the Tartan Army.
“I like all of Israel’s front players,” Clarke admitted. “There’s Solomon, who plays in the little half-position – halfmidfield, half-forward. And Zahavi is a real handful.
“He is capable of dropping in deep to get the ball, and he can score goals with left foot and right. He is also capable of stretching the pitch behind.
“Dabbur, if he plays, is a good target player, who does well in the German Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.
“Even if they go with Shon Weismann, there will be danger. He is always stretching the pitch, and looking to get in behind, always a threat on the shoulder.
“I like the make-up of their team. It is not just the dangerous players up front. It is structured well as a whole.
“But, hopefully, with the big crowd and the momentum we have gained, we can keep going and pick up another three points.”