Scotland clinging on to ‘green shoots’ of recovery before Portugal clash
Ben Doak showed promise against Poland but Clarke’s cupboard is barer than many admit as he heads to Lisbon
If Steve Clarke’s Scotland regime is to spiral beyond the point of no return, it will do so on the manager’s own terms. Seven of the players who started the now infamous defeat by Hungary – the performance offended Scottish fans, not the result – did likewise as Poland visited Hampden Park on Nations League business. The figure would be higher, but for the international retirement of Callum McGregor and the decision of Ché Adams to remain with Torino for reasons that remain a matter of considerable discussion.
Fans who want Clarke to rip it up and start again ignore two core facts. The manager is understandably loyal to a group of players who have generally served him well. There is also no batch of fresh talent waiting in the wings, a matter that will become perfectly obvious to Clarke’s eventual successor.
