Tierney Scot a chance of facing English

STEVE Clarke vowed to be adaptable with his Wembley team selection as Kieran Tierney returned to the training pitch.

Tierney warmed up with a group of players who did not start in the 2-0 defeat by the Czech Republic, which he missed with what Clarke described as a “niggle.”

Clarke’s team selection has been the subject of much debate after Scotland fell to two sublime finishes by Czech striker Patrik Schick at Hampden.

The Scotland boss is only looking forward, though, although he stressed there were plenty of positives to take from Monday’s game.

On Tierney, Clarke said: “He did a little bit of light training and we will just see how he progresses. He has a chance.”

The likes of Che Adams and James Forrest showed good touches off the bench while there have been calls for Nathan Patterson and Billy Gilmour to be thrown into the mix.

When asked if he would consider changes or remain loyal to his regular starters, Clarke said: “I want to be fair to the 26 players hoare in the group and that is always to try and pick the team I think can win the game. So that is what we will do.

“We will get them all back on the training pitch tomorrow and see how they are.

“We will look at any knocks and niggles we have and we will decide how we go for the next game.

“Ideally you try and plot your way through the whole tournament but things turn up, as in the situation with Kieran, where your thoughts can be changed. You always have to be adaptable.

“I used 16 players in the game against the Czech Republic and I will probably use 16 players again.”

He added: “It is tournament football, you have to make sure everyone is fit, you have to make sure your team always has plenty of energy on the pitch.

“I think we showed that on Monday against the Czechs and we will show that again on Friday.”

Clarke has no concerns about the mental effects of defeat on his players after the hype over Scotland’s first tournament game in 23 years and subsequent disappointment.

He went on: “They understand the highs and the lows of the game. You have to get used to bouncing back from the lows and they will do that.

“People outside can get carried away if they want. The players are good and very relaxed.”

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