Clarke sees fit to ring the changes after Israel draw

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has indicated he is likely to ring the changes for tonight’s Nations League match in the Czech Republic.

The Scots began their Group B2 campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Israel on Friday, in which Clarke’s side had led through Ryan Christie’s penalty only to be pegged back by Eran Zahavi’s secondhalf strike.

With the Englandbased players in Clarke’s squad short of match sharpness due to the new league season not starting until this Saturday, the Scotland boss says he is planning to freshen up his side for tonight’s encounter in Olomouc.

Clarke said: “There will be a few changes just to freshen it up just because of the situation in terms of game time and training time, with the stage of the season we are at.

“I imagine there will be more than three changes.

“Although there has been a lot going on in the background, not a lot has changed in terms of preparation.”

Scotland will take on Israel at Hampden Park once again next month, in a crucial play-off match for next summer’s European championships as they try to reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998.

Despite the magnitude of that match, Clarke insists he is not looking any further than the trip to Czech Republic, adding: “This game is very much on my mind, I want three points. I want to come out of these games with four points.

“Every game is an opportunity when you play for your country.

“That is how you have to approach them.

“You have to go out there and you have to expect to win. I have never gone into a game of football in my life thinking I am going to lose and that is the mentality we have here.

“We prepare just in the same way as we have before, the same mindset, the same mentality.”

Four points to ponder: And Steve Clarke is looking at three changes tonight at least