Since we qualified for the Euros in November 2023. Scotland have won 4 of 15 games, including a 2-0 victory over Gibraltar in a friendly on neutral ground. If my maths is correct?
Our win in Greece counted for nothing given the result on Sunday. We have won only one match at home since we beat Georgia in June 2023. Clarke did earn the right to take us to the Euros but the signs of decline were pretty evident long before a ball was kicked in that tournament. And the build up to Germany did not suggest Clarke had any answers. He should have gone as soon as the final whistle was blown against Hungary. The fans who travel all over Europe to support the team have been sold short for a good while. Good fun though those trips may be.
You said earlier that it was a myth that Clarke did not give youth a chance. Since 2021 (Gilmour, Patterson, Hickey) I can only think of Doak that has been introduced and given meaningful game time. Sure he may have included Conway, Johnston, Doig, Wilson, Miller in recent squads but how many minutes have those youngsters actually spent on the pitch? Conway did not get one minute on the pitch at the Euros, even when we were minus our first choice striker and desperate for goals. Exactly the same as happened to Turnbull in the Euros hosted by England. Clarke has history.
Even more senior in form players were ignored by Clarke. How long did it take for him to select Ferguson, Gauld, Shankland despite how well they were performing at club level. Not all of them performed well I accept, but they were long overdue their chance. Instead Clarke consistently selected players who were not first choice at their clubs. In fairness he did say his strategy was to build a squad of senior players and stick with them.
That said, Clarke's record looks magnificent in comparison to that of Gemmill with the U21s. Since being appointed in 2016 he has failed to qualify for a tournament. 5 attempts. 17 wins in 48 competitive games. Most recent friendly. Scotland 1 Iceland 6. And today he threw his players under the bus. How on earth is he still regarded by the powers that be as the man for the job? Prior to the U21s, He had charge of the U17s for 2 years. A job for life?.
In my opinion Wellfan is spot on. It is well beyond time for change.....at both levels. Hopefully we can look beyond the UK as a fresh approach is required from top to bottom. I honestly believe we have the best pool of players we have had for decades. But it seems to me that Clarke....and Gemmill....are far more focused on not losing than winning. How is that panning out?