THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Scotland striker Adams reveals he was left out of Euro opener after problem with ECG scan
WHEN the team sheets were filed for Scotland’s Euro 2020 opener against the Czech Republic, many among the Tartan Army scratched, shook and bowed their heads. Having made such a play to recruit Southampton’s Che Adams ahead of the tournament, why would Steve Clarke elect to omit the only Premier League striker at his disposal for a match 23 years in the making?
A full four months later, Adams is able to offer some context on the decision, one that paints events in a wholly different light.
On Saturday June 12, the continent had held its breath as Christian Eriksen lay prone on the turf at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium while medics endeavoured to save his life following a cardiac arrest.
Fortunately, the Denmark captain regained consciousness and his team-mates were able to complete their tournament opener against Finland in his absence.
Yet as a consequence, there was extra scrutiny if not anxiety, around those players subsequently selected for a mandatory heart scan under FIFA rules.
Adams was among three members of the
Scotland squad nominated for an electrocardiogram (ECG) the next day and a minor anomaly was discovered in his results.
As a precaution, he was taken to hospital for further checks and missed the team’s final training session ahead of the big kick-off at Hampden.
And so Clarke took the decision not to name the forward.
‘We did have a slight problem before the game,’ begins Adams. ‘I had an ECG scan and they needed to take me to hospital for more information.
‘I wasn’t worried, they just needed more data to prove (I was okay). ‘That’s all it was, It was a standard thing, nothing serious but the manager wanted to protect me and I think it was the right decision.’
Clarke (left with Adams) can hardly be criticised for refusing to divulge the details of such a sensitive and personal medical issue.
Yet by neglecting to even hint at any kind of issue with the striker when quizzed on his team selection in the wake of a 2-0 loss to the Czechs, he passed up an opportunity to not only inform the support but soften the perception of his management on the back of a sore result.
Deemed fit enough for a place on the bench, Adams appeared as a half-time substitute for Ryan Christie and then started against England at Wembley the following Friday.
His matter-of-fact tone suggests he was not especially put out by the heart drama but, coming so soon after the Eriksen incident, the knock-on psychological effects would have been real.
‘Yeah, I am alright. I have had scans like that before and nothing has come up,’ Adams adds.
‘It was probably more a case of these guys (the medical staff) were more worried about it than me.
‘Obviously after what happened with Eriksen, they needed more information to be sure.
‘It is just one of those things you have to get over. We lost the game but it was a good performance.’
Adams’ foraging and willingness to show for the ball helped
Scotland carry a threat against England, a team who would go all the way to the final.
Ultimately, however, defeat to Croatia meant the point claimed in London was insufficient to help Scotland make it out of the group.
Yet the tournament underscored the fact that in Adams and Lyndon Dykes, both just 25, Scotland have a burgeoning partnership that should be around for a few years.
Adams made his debut as recently as March but has already accrued 11 caps.
Eligible though his maternal grandmother, Adams was initially offered a chance to represent Scotland’s under-21 side but deferred having already played for England at youth level.
Now settled as a top-tier player and bedded in with the national team, he now feels happy and secure with his decision to commit.
‘The first contact from the SFA was a few years ago,’ he says. ‘It was Scot Gemmill who phoned me.
‘I was on the move to Birmingham and I had to get my head right because I was so young and I didn’t know where I stood, moving up to the Championship from League One.
‘Then Steve rang me a few months ago and told me what the deal was and I wanted to be a part of it.
‘I am glad I made the decision and I have enjoyed every minute of it.’
Adams earned his first cap from the bench in a World Cup qualifying draw against Austria at Hampden and scored his first Scotland goal in a 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands a week later.
Next up for Clarke’s team is the return clash against the group’s bottom seeds, a match that will be played on artificial grass in Toftir, a venue that has history for causing Scotland problems.
‘I’ll be alright, I’ve played at all kinds of places in my career,’ insists Adams. ‘It’s 3G, which makes for difficult circumstances but I think we have enough to progress.
‘You are so used to playing in these big stadiums now but you never forget where you come from. It humbles you.
‘That’s the main thing for me and I am just relishing everything and taking it all in, carrying on and taking it in my stride.
‘I need to get a couple more goals now. It’s been long overdue.’
The partnership with Lyndon is
It was a standard thing, nothing serious. Steve wanted to protect me
always developing. I’m used to playing off a big man from my time at Birmingham, linking up and doing well together.
‘We are training every day and getting to know each other so, as time goes on, who knows what can happen.’
On board as Scotland feasted on tournament football for the first time since the France 98 World Cup, Adam’s knows he timed his run to perfection.
In the process, he also broke new ground, becoming the first black player to represent the country at a major competition.
He expresses surprise at that revelation, adding: ‘I know my family is proud of me anyway and it is just a shame my gran is not here to see me put on the jersey.
‘I think it is just a symbol of how things are changing and I am excited to be part of that.
‘I had been up to Scotland a few times before I decided to switch over. I love it. Every time I come up here everyone is so helpful and friendly.
‘I get that from my family as well, they are the same, so I can relate.
‘I am trying to take it all in my stride but I am buzzing and delighted to be here
‘I have only just come off the buzz of the Euros. That was the best experience of my life and to share it with these boys was unbelievable.
‘The main thing in football is consistency and, if you get that right, you are in a good place. We definitely have the quality to trouble any team that we play against. It is just about self-belief and confidence because consistency is the hardest thing in football.
‘After a few more big results, everyone will be on the same page and raring to go.’