DON’T LISTEN TO THE FAKE NEWS
After the call-off farce, Clarke says Scots must shut out thoughts of Czech ‘reserve’ side and be fully focused on the task of securing a crucial victory
THE public-service adverts on loop have warned us: Be wary of false coronavirus information. When the players’ phones pinged with the same message on the Scotland team buses late on Friday night, the reaction was the same.
‘We thought it was a fake account,’ revealed Scott McKenna when confronted by forwarded socialmedia posts from the Czech Republic Football Team.
But this was real. Monday night’s Nations League opponents had announced they wouldn’t play the fixture and that their international camp was over in the immediate aftermath of winning in Slovakia.
Scepticism was understandable. After all, neither the Scottish Football Association nor UEFA had been officially informed.
That was a feeling of disbelief that lingered long into yesterday, too, as the Czech FA failed to properly address the issue with their counterparts at Hampden.
Doubtless using a euphemistic word, the Czechs explained
yesterday their change of tack to fulfilling the fixture with a new set of players came after a ‘debate’ with European football’s governing body.
So now it’s over to Steve Clarke to avoid the fake news and go hunting for information with his tactical plans in turmoil.
Outwardly, Clarke was as unperturbed as ever. When it comes to analysis and all the studies undertaken on Czech games to date through the long days of lockdown, however, the Scotland manager might as well shred the notes at hotel reception before leaving the country.
At least Craig Brown had an idea Scotland would be playing against nobody in Tallinn when Estonia refused to turn up for a World Cup qualifier in a dispute over floodlights in October 1996.
The Scots will meet an opponent now, for sure, but gathering information on this shadow Czech squad would drive meticulous planner Clark crazy.
Never before has the cliche of: ‘It’s what we do that counts’ seemed so relevant.
‘In terms of analysing and looking at the opposition, it is obviously going to be a little bit different,’ admitted Clarke.
‘I would imagine whatever group of players comes in, whatever coach, it will probably be a similar system to the previous one. I don’t see too much changing in terms of the way they play.
‘Obviously, we might not know quite as much about the personnel because we’ve prepared for a different squad of players. But the most important thing just now is that we concentrate on ourselves and what we can do.’
So it falls upon Clarke to ensure what appears a golden opportunity for Scotland isn’t spurned in spectacular fashion by a nation expert in missing open goals.
In the wake of the disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Israel to kick off the section, Czech Republic reserves surely present an easier opportunity for three points.
That, of course, is not the mindset Clarke will wish to infiltrate his travelling party in the midst of this unprecedented preparation for a competitive international.
He said: ‘In the current climate, things can happen. We are in the middle of a global pandemic and we have to do what we’ve been doing since the very start — and that’s react to certain situations.
‘It would be unfair to go any further than that. We just have to react as best we can.
‘So that’s not really a concern for me, I’m just aiming to keep on trying to improve performances. We tweaked our system against Israel, some think it was good, some think it wasn’t good.
‘For me, there were good bits and bad bits. It’s all about trying to improve that system — if we go that way again — and try to be better.’
Clarke reported ‘no great concerns’ with injuries but admitted the unique nature of this football year will dictate if he makes alterations for the game in Olomouc to preserve and protect some of his players.
‘In terms of physical condition of players, yes, I would very much doubt we’ll go with the same team again,’ he stated. ‘We have to freshen it up in certain positions. I have to be fair to the players.
‘You don’t want to be silly, you don’t want to push players too hard at this stage of the season if you don’t feel sure.
‘It’s only three weeks until I name the next squad and, if you had a serious injury or muscle injury at this stage, it could affect us next month. So I’ll be sensible and I’ll make some changes.’
Whether Clarke’s alterations are purely personnel or will feature the formation remain to the seen. He spent much of his post-match briefing defending the tweak from 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 system which allowed him to play his two star full-backs Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney in the same side.
Tierney showed the benefits of having recently played on the left side of a central defence for Arsenal.
While on the other side of McKenna, Clarke was able to bring in another performer from the English Premier League’s elite in Scott McTominay, albeit in an position where he didn’t always look comfortable in Jose Mourinho’s reign at Manchester United.
‘I thought he did very well,’ said Clarke. ‘He is a big strong boy, good height. I think he made one mistake in the game when he got caught a little under the ball and that allowed (Munas) Dabour in at the back post
Whatever players they bring in, they’ll probably play a similar system
for a header that David Marshall made a fantastic save from — which was crucial because we went up the park and took the lead.
‘Scott, himself, was comfortable in that position. I had in mind to play someone else there at the start of the week and then I watched our training.
‘You look at Scott, he played deep in to August with Manchester United but had come in to us on the back of a few days’ rest so he hadn’t done much training.
‘I needed to see him train and make sure he was up to speed. And
what he showed me pushed me towards playing him. I was quite pleased with the whole back three. I thought they worked quite well together and more or less kept a dangerous front two quite.
‘Obviously, they had the combination that led to Israel’s goal and that is something we must work on and be better at in the future.’
Better is sure to follow from Lyndon Dykes, who offered impressive glimpses of being able to lead a Scotland forward line for years to come.
The 24-year-old debutant was withdrawn on 74 minutes but not before exhibiting strong hold-up play, clever use of the ball and helping in the build-up to winning Scotland the penalty.
‘Lyndon can only improve for his new club QPR and, hopefully, for his country as well,’ said Clarke.
‘It is also quite important to keep our feet on the ground, be level-headed and not put too much pressure on Lyndon.
‘He’s had a whirlwind couple of weeks. He came into the camp and, when you are a new guy, the lads are looking at you straight away.
‘But his touch, his technique, his manner about the place, the way he worked in training, everything was really good and I felt he took that into the game.
‘It was a big step up for him. I just felt he was starting to tire a little bit and it would be unfair to ask him to finish the whole game.
‘I was pleased with him and he can be pleased with his performance.’
You don’t want to be silly and push the players too hard, so I’ll be sensible and make some changes