You don’t know what you’re missing
Gaffer’s message to those who snubbed Scotland call for his first squad in 2019
IT seems almost unthinkable now. Players who don’t want to be picked for Scotland.
But when Steve Clarke took over as gaffer five years ago, that’s where we were at.
The national team boss won’t name any names. But he knows they’re still out there.
And part of him hopes when they tune in to see his boys competing at Euro 2024, they regret saying no.
Clarke pinpoints the Germany tournament as a clear marker in Scotland’s progression.
From guys not keen on turning up ... to boys absolutely devastated that they haven’t made the cut.
He named his provisional 28-man squad for the Euro 2024 last week.
And he’s not looking forward to having to tell two of those players they won’t be on the plane to Germany.
It’s changed days from 2019 when he got knock-backs while trying to compile his first Scotland selection.
Clarke said: “I remember in my first week I made a lot of phone calls and actually got rejections from people who didn’t want to come with the national team.
“They didn’t know that we would be as good as we have been so some have missed out on a really good journey.
“It’s amazing to think that now. But here we are, five years later, and there will be some of them who wish they had been more positive to that initial phone call.
“But that’s the evolution we’ve had – and hopefully there is more to come.
“If you look through it, there are a number of players who are 32 or 33 so will be 34 or 35 come the next tournament.
“So there will be more evolution in the future, no matter who the head coach is.
“Ben Doak can be one going forward for us, so let’s have a look at him.
“I don’t think I’d get many rejections now.
“I’m sure there will be a number of players out there now who are disappointed not to make the provisional squad. But as James Forrest has proved, the door’s never closed.
“It’s not nice to be excluded from a squad but that’s part of football. James is the example.
“If you continue to work hard and be professional you never know what can happen.”
Clarke’s job was made more difficult by injuries to important players such as Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson and Nathan Patterson.
A few weeks ago, when Scott McTominay and Stuart
Armstrong limped off during club games, the manager must have been watching the TV through the cracks in his fingers.
It’s possible that enquiries were made about the availability of Anglo Scots such as Newcastle pair Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento.
Maybe they rejected us too but that is surely their loss.
Clarke said: “Those things, people will never know. I’ve had private conversations with a lot of people. That’s all I’ll say on that. I don’t think it’s fair that I sit here and discuss players who can play for other countries.
“But was I panicking when players were going down injured? Aye.
“In March I said that I knew we’d probably lose players. Historically, it’s usually two in every camp.
“But this time it’s four who would have been picked or close to being picked.
“It was disappointing because I had to make four sad phone calls to Lewis, Aaron, Nathan and Jacob Brown.
“But I re-emphasised to all of them they’re young enough to make the next tournament.
“That has to be their focus. They have to realise it’s not just about the injury that puts them out of the Euros.
“It’s an injury they have to overcome to be ready for the next stage of their career.
“They’re all young enough to be ready for the World Cup in 2026.”