MANAGERIAL MASTERSTROKE

Clarke’s declaration of intent will serve as inspiration to a squad oozing with class, insists Brown

CRAIG BROWN has acknowledged and applauded many a managerial mind game. He could even claim to be responsible for deploying the occasional one himself. Yet at 82 years young, Brown would admit that few have given him greater pleasure than the pronouncement from Steve Clarke in the immediate aftermath of Scotland’s scoreless draw against Ukraine.

‘I don’t think with this group of players we will need it,’ said Clarke of the playoff place for Euro 2024 secured by topping their Nations League section. ‘We’ve reached Pot Two, the A Group of the Nations League. We don’t want to stop. We want to keep getting better.’ It was a bold and unconventional declaration for a Scotland manager to make. That he trusts Scotland will reach the finals in Germany via one of the qualifying sections being drawn this afternoon. As Scotland’s name is plucked from Pot Two today in Frankfurt, thanks to that fine Nations League finish, Brown is convinced every player tuning in will feel expectation blossoming from the seed planted by Clarke.

That no matter which nations are placed in their way through the series of matches from March to November next year, their manager has total and utter confidence — and it’s not of the misplaced variety.

‘It was refreshing and wonderful to hear,’ said Brown. ‘It gives everyone a boost and belief. And it tells his men that they’ve got to do the job. That they’ve got to perform.

‘Steve is usually blunt, quite honest. But with this one, I really thought it was great.

‘It’s the job of the Scotland manager to keep us optimistic. And not to say: “We’re struggling in this position or that position” or: “We will be lucky to survive this task”.

‘I always feel Steve says the right things. Even when he’s sometimes a bit dour and down in the mouth, you always feel what he comes out with is justified.

‘Players read the manager’s comments. He tells them that to their face but it reinforces the message when they see it in the media.

‘With the last couple of performances, the players gave us huge confidence. But Steve’s comments were so positive, too, for us going forward. It’s a great sign.

‘I think it also creates a sense of belonging. That we deserve to be in Pot Two, by topping a group with victory against a team as good as Ukraine. That this has been a genuine step forward and the aim is to make another.

‘I rarely hear Steve speak and disagree with his motives. I don’t always agree with his team selection but, then, I’ve no right to do that when he’s the guy who sees them all the time.’

Selecting a Scotland team without at least