CLARKE HAILS JOSE’S BACKING FOR HIS MEN
STEVE CLARKE has never disagreed with Jose Mourinho before and the Scotland boss is not going to start now, after his mentor backed his side to make history by reaching the latter stages of Euro 2020.
Mourinho has tipped his former Chelsea No.2 to become the first Scotland boss to lead the national team out of a group stage at a major tournament.
Clarke has faith his team can do it too but admits they will have little room for error as they prepare for battle with the Czech Republic, England and Croatia.
“I think Jose is probably looking at the quality of player we’ve got in the squad,” said Clarke.
“It’s nice when a top coach – and make no mistake Mourinho is a top coach who played a big part in my development when I worked with Jose – says those kinds of words.
“But he’s looking at the all-round strength we have in the squad and the results we’ve had recently.
“And yes, there is a good chance we can come out of the group.
“But we have to make sure we get our preparation right and get everything right on the day.”
The Scots have their final tune-up session today as they take on Luxembourg after Wednesday’s impressive 2-2 draw with Holland sent belief in the Tartan Army sky high.
It is a different story to when Clarke was appointed two years back. He inherited a side unsure of itself after Alex Mcleish’s troubled tenure, but bit by bit the Scots have developed a swagger which Clarke hopes can now enable them to stride beyond the groups.
“I’ve got to be honest, I don’t like the word arrogance but I know where everyone goes with it – it’s a confidence,” he explained.
“You have to go into these matches against the top teams with a belief that you can get something out of the game.
“We did that the other night and it’s a mindset that we have to take that into the tournament. It’s three tough games against three difficult opponents – but we have to relish that challenge.”
Clarke received another boost after the six players he opted to leave behind amid a Covid-19 scare returned negative tests.
They will all feature at the Stade Josy Barthel, meaning Rangers youngster Nathan Patterson will win his first cap.
John Fleck, however, will remain locked in his Spanish hotel room for another few days as he completes his stint in quarantine after a positive coronavirus test. “He needs to isolate until the middle of next week,” said Clarke.