‘BOYS CAN MAKE THE BEL-GRADE’
SCOTLAND gaffer Steve Clarke has urged his players to show the same Belgrade balls that got them to Euro 2020 at Hampden tomorrow.
Before facing the Czech Republic in their tournament opener, he wants to see the quality and resilience that earned them a place at a major tournament for the first time in 23 years.
Back in November, Clarke’s boys played Serbia off the park in their play-off tie before being hit by a late suckerpunch equaliser.
That forced a penalty shoot-out and Scotland emerged victorious to qualify for the Euros.
The manager says it was the best performance of his reign so far.
And he is looking for a repeat at Hampden against the Czechs to get off to a flier in Group D.
Clarke (above) said: “When I took the job, it was difficult to look two years into the future. You never know how it’s going to pan out.
“But we have made good additions to the squad and the players have improved through games and the messages we’ve put across.
“We’ve grown as a squad – and that’s why we’re here now.
“The most pleasing thing for me is that the
SCOTLAND CZECH REP Hampden, Tomorrow, 2pm
best we’ve played was in our biggest game in Serbia.
“That night we showed two sides to us. Firstly, our quality. And then, when we got a kick in the nuts in the last minute, we showed our grit and determination to get through extra time.
“We got to penalties and that led to qualification.
“That’s the big thing for me about our evolution as a team.
“When the players had to produce in that game in Belgrade, they produced – and that’s a big thing for me.”
Just 24 hours before Scotland’s Euros opener, Clarke revealed he has picked his starting 11 – bar one.
He has major dilemmas in goal, in defence and in midfield, yet the manager has all but made his mind up and will let the players know tomorrow morning.
Clarke said: “I’ve picked my team except one position – but I am pretty sure which way I will go with it.
“The players won’t know until the day of the game, but the more perceptive ones might work it out.”