Players can walk off over racial abuse
at the Euros this summer, with former Republic of Ireland star Reid prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with Clarke’s players if they suffer similar abuse in their upcoming matches.
New recruit Che Adams and Sheffield Wednesday’s Liam Palmer are the two black players in the current Scotland squad that kicks off the World Cup qualifying campaign against Austria. Reid said: “I’m absolutely behind the decision.
“It’s getting to that stage now for me and everybody it’s about action. We’ve taken the knee, we’ve had individuals not taking the knee, teams not taking the knee. What people want to see now is action.
“The SFA are supporting this and it’s something that the staff as a whole are going to be fully behind the players a lot of the time in what they decide.
“People want to see action now, proper punishments. People being held accountable for what they are saying and how they are behaving.
“That ultimately is the stage where we are at, in my opinion.”
Asked if Scotland players would be supported if they walked off in protest during a game, Reid added: “Absolutely, I would. I think we’re getting to that stage now.
“Again, talking about it, it’s now got to be about proper, meaningful action. Something needs to be done.
“I think time’s come on now from opinions of ‘You should never walk off the pitch.’
“Listen, it’s a player’s decision. If he’s got the support of the players and that’s the action they want to take then I think we have to totally support that.”
Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack has withdrawn from the squad with a calf injury. He pulled out after training yesterday.