Clarke signs up until 2024 with Scotland

STEVE CLARKE says he is ready for stage two of a Scotland rebuild after extending his contract until 2024. The 57-year-old ended the 23-year wait for a return to a major finals by leading the national team to Euro 2020 this summer. And, after naming a 26-man squad for the World Cup qualifying triple-header against Denmark, Moldova and Austria next month, the former Kilmarnock and West Brom manager set his sights on building on that appearance. ‘Stage two? Yeah, you could say that. That’s quite a good way to put it,’ said Clarke. ‘You come in as Scotland head coach and you get

the two tournaments and, basically, your brief is that you’ve got to qualify for the tournament. It was nice to get the first one and get the qualification done. ‘We got that monkey off our back and it’s now time to do that more consistently. I have two tournaments to try and do that. ‘It is obviously nice when your bosses think you’ve done a decent job and they give you a little extension, so it was nice to get that one put away. ‘The little taste we got of the European Championships in the summer has made everybody excited for more, so, hopefully, we can deliver.’ Despite the disappointment of failing to reach the knock-out stage of a tournament for the first time after home defeats to the Czech Republic and Croatia, Clarke claims the decision to pen a new deal was ‘relatively straightforward’. ‘It took me a little while to get to grips with the different aspects of the national job,’ he admitted. ‘Recently, I have enjoyed it, if it is ever possible to enjoy the job. ‘It is a good challenge and it takes me out my comfort zone a little bit at times, which is good. I like to challenge myself and, hopefully, we can get more success. ‘We are gaining more experience and we have improved a lot. It was relatively straightforward to try and improve on the work we have done so far. ‘And I think improving now will probably be more difficult than improving from where we have been.’ Clarke has added former Hearts coach Austin MacPhee and ex-Rangers goalkeeper Chris Woods to his backroom staff after Steven Reid and Stevie Woods stepped back to focus on club commitments. ‘I knew pretty early on after the Euros that Steven (Reid) was going to leave, so, from there, I have been looking around trying to find the right person,’ he said. ‘In Austin, I have someone different to Steven. He is going to bring a different dynamic to the squad. He also has a good reputation and record in an area where I think we can improve a little bit, which is set-plays. ‘Stevie Woods decided only a couple of weeks ago that it was the right time for him to step aside, so I looked out my contacts and managed to track down Chris Woods, someone who I haven’t worked with before. ‘He knows the Scottish scene, he knows the little peculiarities of Scottish football, he understands it. I believe he did his coaching badges up here. ‘He is looking forward to it and I think the goalkeepers will enjoy working with Chris.’ Out of favour at Derby County, Euros No1 David Marshall drops out of the squad. With Rangers keeper Jon McLaughlin unavailable, Zander Clark of St Johnstone and Liam Kelly of Motherwell will deputise for Craig Gordon. ‘I had spoken to Craig a few times over the years and he has always known what I think of him as a goalkeeper,’ said Clarke. ‘Now the way it’s fallen, in this camp for this squad, he’ll be the No1 goalkeeper. ‘He’ll work with Chris Woods, who will be a good addition to the squad. ‘Hopefully, the goalkeepers will learn a little bit from him as well.’ Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson also earns his first call-up after narrowly missing out on selection for the Euros. ‘I have always liked Lewis and I have kept an eye on his progress,’ continued Clarke. ‘He has always done very well with Aberdeen. When I was Kilmarnock manager, we rarely beat Aberdeen. They always had a little hoodoo over us and Lewis was a big part of that. ‘I like what he gives box to box. He can do the defensive part, a strong boy. I actually spoke to Lewis in the summer about keeping fit just in case we got some injuries or Covid issues. With Scott McTominay missing out, it is a chance to put Lewis in.’