A TRUE BLUE

Clarke sure Adams is committed to cause

STEVE CLARKE insists Che Adams hasn’t simply jumped aboard Scotland’s bandwagon because they’ve qualified for the European Championship.

As predicted by Sportsmail, the in-form Southampton striker was yesterday named in Clarke’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers — four years after rejecting overtures from Alex McLeish to pull on a dark blue jersey. Born in

Leicester, the 24-year-old was capped by England at Under-20s level yet still qualifies to play for Scotland due to a grandparent.

After selecting Adams ahead of Leigh Griffiths, Steven Naismith, Lawrence Shankland and Oliver Burke, Clarke defended his decision to bring him into the fold.

Certain that the player hasn’t been persuaded purely on

WHEN are World Cup qualifiers not just World Cup qualifiers? How about when they happen to be the only matches in the diary ahead of your first appearance at a major finals in 23 years?

National boss Steve Clarke’s squad announcement for the triple-header against Austria, Israel and the Faroe Islands would have been eagerly anticipated anyway.

Given the connotations for what lies ahead, though, it’s fair to say that the various inclusions and exclusions were pored over rather more studiously than normal by all concerned yesterday.

With three months until Clarke’s side face the Czech Republic at Hampden in the Group D opener, no one should assume that these players selected are immovable. Others can yet play their way into contention.

The point is, though, that the ball is now in the court of those who will now turn their minds to playing Austria next week.

Those who have failed to make this cut will have to make a compelling case in the colours of their clubs. They have a job on their hands.

While six months on the sidelines meant this party was always going to come too soon for James Forrest, the Celtic winger would be expected to play his way back into contention.

Could the same be said for Leigh Griffiths, though, after playing just six minutes under John Kennedy to date? He now looks vulnerable.

A lack of game time at club level has also hampered Billy Gilmour at Chelsea, with a lack of form unsurprisingly costing Sheffield United’s Oliver Burke a spot.

Steven Naismith and Lawrence Shankland have not performed badly for Hearts and Dundee United, respectively, but nor did they merit automatic inclusion.

There is, though, a glut of players who could justifiably nurse a grievance. With seven goals for Portuguese side Farense, Ryan Gauld must wonder if it will ever happen for him at full level.

David Turnbull has been the bright spot of Celtic’s dire season yet, surprisingly, was overlooked.

Hibs’ Ryan Porteous also has every right to be perplexed at being left out, with Nathan Patterson’s fine form with Rangers not amounting to a call-up either.

‘The ones who were in the squad in November, I’ve obviously phoned them to let them know they are not in this selection, tell them a little about why they’ve not been selected and what they can do to get involved again,’ said Clarke (below).

‘Those conversations have to remain private but they all know where they stand. They took the message in the right way and want to be part of the squad moving forward, which is great even though they’ve suffered the disappointment of not being involved this time.

‘People like David Turnbull, Nathan Patterson, Billy Gilmour, Ryan Gauld are all young players with good prospects. But the likes of Turnbull has to break into the team in front of (John) McGinn, (Scott) McTominay, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie, Ryan Fraser. ‘It’s an area we are very, very strong in — and we also have to be very careful not to lose the dynamic of the squad.’

The winners on the day were primarily Che Adams and Kevin Nisbet — the Southampton and Hibs strikers earning their first call-ups — with Jack Hendry’s rehabilitation on loan at Oostende meriting a return to the international fold for the Celtic man. It’s the transfusion of fresh blood to the forward areas that’s the most intriguing, though.

‘Che’s going to bring different qualities,’ said Clarke. ‘But let’s not forget Lyndon (Dykes), who has done terrific for the national team with two goals in seven games which is a good return.

‘The big man was outstanding in Serbia. Lyndon has his own qualities at bringing in others into the game. Che is not as tall and isn’t such an aerial target.

‘But he holds the ball up really well and links the game. He has a little bit of pace to play in behind and plays well off the last defender.

‘Those are qualities that other strikers in the squad maybe don’t have, with the exception of young Kevin Nisbet.

‘He has similar qualities to Che but, obviously, Che is doing it every week in the English Premier League, which is a really strong level. He definitely improves the squad and will definitely improve the team as well.’

Clarke has generally played one striker with an advanced midfielder in support.

Does this open the door to a twostriker system? Apparently not.

‘It’s worked well for us in recent games with a target player and a little bit of pace and energy around about him,’ said Clarke.

‘Ryan Christie did it in Serbia and Ryan Fraser did it in the games in October. Those three, the two Ryans and Lyndon, are responsible for the last three goals for the national team.

‘We did put a big load on Lyndon in some of the games, especially in October. I think with someone like Che, we can lighten that load a little bit.

‘That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to improve the team going forward. I’m trying to make us more of a goal threat without losing the solidity that we have at the back.’

McTominay’s fine season in Manchester United’s midfield looks likely to draw a line under his defensive duties for his country.

The three-man system which evolved well is also subject to review, with the manager picking a squad which offers scope for a flat back-four if required.

‘Yes, it’s possible,’ he added. ‘I have to wait and see how the lads fit into the squad and obviously it depends on the opposition we are playing.

‘There might be some games when I feel we don’t need five defenders. The three at the back has worked well with McTominay and (Kieran) Tierney breaking out into midfield and we need to bear that in mind.

‘But maybe we could get a little bit more solidity with two pure central defenders and one who can break out into midfield. That just might give us a little more impetus going forward as well.

‘I’m always thinking on the evolution of the team and I think you can see that even with my selections at the back.

‘I’ve brought a couple of rightsided centre-backs in this time with the thought that maybe I can put McTominay back into midfield. ’

If it feels like there’s a degree of experimentation going on with this squad, that’s just part and parcel of international football.

For all the three games will have strong implications for the summer, it goes without saying that they are much more than dress rehearsals.

‘It’s an unusual situation with the Euros being delayed by a year,’ added Clarke.

‘So to have three important World Cup qualifiers just focuses my mind and, hopefully, focuses the minds of the players because the only thing that’s important in the short-term is the World Cup.’