Clarke needs a KT solution to riddle in middle

THERE were a few malfunctions in the final third the other night in Amsterdam and there was a complete breakdown at the back in the final stages.

But the middle of the park Scotland looked a pretty well-oiled machine.

That doesn’t mean Steve Clarke won’t have to get the tools out in that part of the team for the summer though.

If anything, the amount of talent Scotland has in the engine room could quickly become the manager’s biggest headache.

We should perhaps take the Men in Black memory erasing pen out for the last 15 minutes in Holland. And by doing so there was plenty on show to be encouraged about.

Particularly the display of Billy Gilmour.

The Brighton lad is emerging as our main man and it’s no exaggeration to suggest he wouldn’t have looked out of place in that Dutch team on Friday – or just about any other of the top sides in Europe.

He’s got the lot. His head swivels like Inspector Gadget, he hoards the ball like it’s his favourite blanket and he picks passes like he can see inside the matrix.

Gilmour is a Rolls Royce in there and it was a shock to the system to see how much of a drop off in quality Scotland suffered when he departed the scene.

This kid is special – and is now undroppable. He has to start against Germany in June.

Scott McTominay is a cert as well. He was a powerhouse for an hour on Friday and is nailed on for the Euros opener.

John McGinn? Don’t ask silly questions.

Then there was Ryan Christie. He was superb on Friday. Taking the ball to feet in tight areas, committing defenders, knocking the ball around corners and bursting into the box. Chuck in his relentless work rate and ability to press and he’s a major asset for us.

The biscuit tin head might need some work after the two big chances he missed but he has fired himself right into the frame.

This is where is starts to get awkward.

Lewis Ferguson needs to get a chance. A late cameo against the Dutch when things were going to pot was harsh on him.

And it looks like we could have a £30million Champions League midfielder on our hands soon, given the big guns of Serie A are on his case.

It would almost seem a waste to have a Juventus player not in our side.

But then there is Callum McGregor. It’s close to unthinkable not having him back in the side when he is fit again.

The Celtic captain is a big-game player who has been outstanding for the national side.

He should be a shoo-in to face the Germans.

But that’s six players who have to start – and

Clarke has to work his magic again with six who have got to start and just four slots

only four slots. Clarke had to invent an entirely new system to accommodate our two world-class left backs in Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney.

The gaffer pulled it off and KT’s role is now one of our best weapons, like a kind of under lapping attacking left centre back.

But how the heck does he work similar magic in the middle?

Perhaps he plays a 5-5-1 formation and hope the officials don’t notice. Otherwise there’s some tough calls to be made.

The recent nasty habit of chucking in goals will be a worry for the manager and it might tip the balance when it comes to bringing back McGregor.

But regardless of what Clarke is thinking, he knows Gilmour is essential to Scotland hitting top gear.