Watt If... Kelly claims striker could still be a marvel for Clarke
TONY Watt’s international career to date wouldn’t merit much of a showreel, comprising as it does a 12-minute cameo from the bench during a 1-0 friendly victory over the Czech Republic in March 2016. Motherwell team-mate Liam Kelly can see him playing a far more significant role for his country in future, however, if Steve Clarke ever needs back-up for his existing strike force. Goalkeeper Kelly has already been recalled for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying triple-header despite last being selected for Scotland when he was at Livingston in May 2019. And after Watt scored the winner against Dundee — the first time he has scored in three consecutive top flight games in a nomadic career — Kelly reckons there is no reason why he can’t join him in Clarke’s plans further down the road. ‘Tony’s in great form at the moment,’ he said. ‘He’s an unbelievable player. He’s been used in a more central area — playing between the goalposts — and we’re seeing the rewards. ‘He’s constantly asking questions at training, trying to become a better player. He’s 27 now and maybe that’s the age when the penny drops for certain players. ‘He’s a strong boy and an intelligent footballer as well. For him to have his back to goal and still know he only needed a glancing header to score shows how creative he is. ‘A Scotland recall is a definite possibility. Put it this way, I wouldn’t want to play against him. The Scotland manager is fair and squads are always picked on merit, so if Tony continues to do well and score goals I think he’d call him up. ‘Motherwell have produced a few players for the squad in recent years, with Stephen O’Donnell, Declan Gallagher and now me so this is a great platform.’
Watt’s deft back-header from a free kick by Jake Carroll — later sent off after 79 minutes for his challenge on Max Anderson — was one of the few highlights of a stuffy encounter in which Dundee played the better football but couldn’t capitalise on their possession. ‘Even though we made it difficult for ourselves with Jake’s red card, we dug in well,’ said Kelly. Dundee striker Cillian Sheridan admitted it will help if the club can persuade Leigh Griffiths to return on loan from Celtic. ‘Any bit of quality that comes in and helps the team is good for everyone,’ he said.