NO EXCUSES FROM COACH AS HE HOPES FOR LUCKY 13

STEVE CLARKE has vowed there will be no excuses ahead of Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-off against Israel, even as the national coach prepares for an anxious afternoon in which half of his squad could see competitive action.

Just four days out from the crucial semi-final tie, no fewer than 13 of Clarke’s players are on club duty, including five from Celtic and Rangers, whose games had originally been brought forward to Friday night by the SPFL.

With the two Glasgow clubs in Europa League action on Thursday, the games were switched back to this afternoon, when Celtic’s Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Greg Taylor will face St Johnstone while Jon McLaughlin and Ryan Jack could feature for Rangers against Ross County.

A further eight players are involved in English Premier League games, including captain Andy Robertson, whose Liverpool side visits Aston Villa.

John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney, Oli McBurnie, Oli Burke and John Fleck will also be late in meeting up with the squad. Already sweating on the fitness of defender Scott McKenna, who missed Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Bristol City yesterday, the hectic club schedule not only restricts Clarke’s preparation time but leaves him susceptible to injuries.

Charged with leading Scotland to a first major final in 21 years, Clarke (left) would prefer more time to prepare but remains stoic: ‘It’s just something we have to deal with. The players will be ready come Thursday night. No excuses.

‘Half the squad will play on Sunday and it was always going to be the case that we couldn’t control what the English Premier League would do.’