I respect Stevie Clarke for what he's done for Scotland. Don't get me wrong.

But his complete neglection of Ryan Gauld is so disappointing. Particularly when he picks guys like Kenny McLean (living off one goal). And water carriers like Ryan Jack (being kind) who get picked every time regardless.

Why not give him the two last dead rubbers to see if he has in any way what it takes?

Seems so short sighted.

In fact, no, it seems stubborn.
 

Stevie Clarke has clearly done an excellent job, getting us back to two major tournament's and missing out narrowly on a third.  However some of the decisions he makes are mental.   Gauld for one - why he has never even been in a squad is unreal to me, I know there are less friendlies now but surely to fuck get him in and see what he can do.

The Shankland situation baffles me too - he was born to score goals, how thon Brown is continually picked ahead of him just makes no sense to me.  He has to be on the plane for next summer.

Canadian Arab wrote:

I'm sure Gauld would be delighted to be selected for a Scotland squad. But knowing where he lives, where he plays, the standard of living he has and the amount he's making, I don't believe he would give any of that up to return to play for a team in the UK just so that he might get noticed by Clarke (and nor should he). At the end of the day, it's a job - and one with a pretty short shelf life - and what he's doing right now will set him and his family up for the rest of their lives and beyond.

There are very few ex-United players (and maybe none!) who left us and have gone on to set themselves up for life to the extent that Gauldie has done. I doubt that Andy Gray, Ray Stewart, Luggy, Big Dunc or Richard Gough can compete on that score, though Johnny Russell won't be a million miles away (and no coincidence which league he's playing in).

Gauld might return if he was offered a big money deal by a top EPL club, but I don't see that happening tbh.

Don't disagree with any of that. I don't blame Gauld.

I blame Clarke for being short-sighted. Why overlook him because he plays in the MLS?

We still call up Jack Hendry who now plays in Saudi, after all. I do like Clarke, but he is a stubborn old goat.
 

Slotbadger wrote:

Final insult is calling up Morgan from the MLS and the 2 under 21s.

Clarke either doesn’t rate or doesn’t like Gauld. Just bizarre.

Face disnae fit.

Clarke is dour by nature, stubbornly set on selecting journeymen.
Believes in champion team beating a team of champions.
Believes solid play will trump reliance on passion producing victories - can't disagree with that.

Fair enough we're never going to have a team of champions.
We do have one or two champions, Robertson, wee Gilmour at his best, Tierney in combination with Robertson going forward mebbe.
He's got some on the fringes in England who he gets a wee bit more out of - McTominay.
He's got one or two reasonable workers - Sir Laurence, McGregor.
And he's got dross. Complete embarrasment.
Seems to believe in a low bar and mediocrity.

One of the teams I played at one season were that short on numbers we'd to go down the local wi a pair of boots before games and offer all they could drink if anyone would come and play for us.
Some of the ones  we have who'd a Scottish Granny and dinnae even get a game for Championship sides remind me of that.
 
Be pleased if we live up to Clarke's expectation of 4 points getting us though. Be overjoyed if we do it with some flair and solid defending.

And still Gauldie on the outer - bizarre.
 

Last edited by Shakey Isles Arab (13/6/2024 9:43 pm)

Love my country and support the national side, used to go to many games but I've lost all faith in Clarke. In fact so much so I really canny stand the guy anymore.
Fine, yeah did well to qualify for the last 2 Euros then completely bottled both tournaments imo.

Look at the way the so called smaller nations played in Germany, they were a joy to watch, well coached knew how to keep possession and create and you could see their passion.

Clarke sucked the passion skill and energy out of the players.
Think the SFA have bottled it because if were prepared to pay we can get a lot better.

Pleased for Gauld though

Last edited by redford_must_score (27/8/2024 7:35 pm)

David_Blunkett wrote:

Finally calls the guy up, despite years of saying he had too similar players in the squad or questioning the level he was operating at.

Then changes track and says he offers him something different.

Watch him chuck him on/start him in the hardest game, in a thankless role, so he can give it the big told you so "I'm Steve Clarke, eh ken best!"

Like he did with Shankland in the Dutch game, pre Euros* then benched him in the game, where his talents were better suited.


*That's the Euros, where Scotland went on to perform even worse than the worst ever Euros performance, which he also presided over.


 

I was thinking about this today. Can imagine Clarke either no playing him over the next two games or as you say throwing him on very late when he can make no real impact.