The international break is rapidly approaching an end – and it can’t come quick enough for Steve Clarke.
The Scotland boss has found himself in the firing line in the wake of the dismal Nations League defeat to Greece at Hampden. TheHotline panic button has been slammed with the Tartan Army’s fears over reaching the World Cup in North America surging.
Craig Barnett emailed: “If any of this team are on a flight to America it will be to see Mickey Mouse in Disneyland. I have seen Scotland against Brazil, Portugal, England and Germany and that was the worst display in decades.”
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny said: “Who says there’s no boos at football matches? There were plenty of boos at Hampden directed at the players/management after a rocky horror show against the Greeks and Scotland dropping into the second tier of the Nations League. You need a bevvy to watch this mince – where’s the bar? Clarke and Co need to go.”
Robert McNab said: “Steve Clarke has done a good job as Scotland manager. But, before we get carried away, let’s be clear… he has had two things that his predecessors didn’t have: 1) He has arguably the best squad to choose from in over 20 years. 2) He has benefited from simplified qualification routes, namely the nations league playoffs and the fact that the euros expanded the tournament allowing runners up to qualify.
“He has done a good job but should not be in a position whereby he isn’t held to account for what is becoming a pattern of repeated failure with little progression.
“This squad should be achieving more, the last two championships were embarrassing. This is our golden generation and we don’t want to look back in 10 years with even more regrets.”
Willie Mercer, Dumfries said: “A back four of which two of them have one game between them for their current teams, this season – no criticism of their performances but they were clearly not match fit enough to play two games of such intensity within a couple of days of each other.
“A central midfielder playing his best club football at top end of Premier League, played as a right winger, with a player who is playing in a struggling Championship team played in central midfield.
“McGinn deployed in a holding role when everyone knows his best position is as the attacking midfielder, as evidenced by his goals tally. A ball winner in Fergusson left on the bench.
“Couple all of this with Clarke’s erratic and unfathomable substitutions in the second half, and it is not hard to understand why we lost so easily.
“Match fit players, playing week in week out, played in their best positions, must surely be the first criteria for Clarke in his team selection. His loyalty to club squad players and playing players out of position has cost him on many previous occasions.”
Richard Wharton, Carlisle said: “I can’t be the only person who thinks Billy Gilmour is overrated and if Che Adams is our best bet up front then we do have problems.”
Gordon Blackwell, Glasgow said: “The most tactically unaware Scottish manager ever, presides over another dull, drab performance.
“Too loyal to certain players, who have nothing to offer. McGinn and Tierney way too slow for International football. Unlikely to step aside, as he wouldn’t get another managerial job anywhere.”
Davy Matson said: “Same old same old. We will be better when we get a proper manager.”
Nicolas Raskin has landed plenty of plaudits for Belgium during the international break – and it has Rangers fans running the numbers.
Peter Cooperwhite said: “I see Rangers player Nico Raskin was named player of the match. If Arne Engles is worth £11m and can’t even make bench for Belgium, what’s Raskin’s value and getting standing ovation when subbed?”
Chris Lowe, Yoker chimed in: “The usual cheerleaders who are never slow to talk up Celtic players with tales of £30million rated are strangely quiet on Raskin.
“Here’s a player who has been immense in his team storming into the last 8 of a European tournament, man of the match in a Belgium team littered with stars and not forgetting scoring and running the show at the home of the Gallowgate Globetrotters recently.:
Hotline regular Scott McAdam raised eyebrows when he claimed Rangers trio James Tavernier, Cyriel Dessers and Danilo wouldn’t get a game for Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park.
Adam Flett clapped back “Yes, you’re absolutely right! Tavernier, Dessers and Danilo wouldn’t get a game for Queen’s Park. However, all three of them would walk into the Celtic team.”