SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 17 hrs 52 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
SN
Euro Champ Qualifying | Playoff Semi-Finals Route C
Oct 8, 2020 at 7.45pm UK
Hampden Park
IN

Scotland
0 - 0
Israel

Scotland win 5-3 on penalties

McGinn (58'), Fraser (105+2'), Paterson (120')
FT
(aet)

Natcho (13'), Bitton (56'), Weissman (88')

Steve Clarke tells Scotland players they could create history against Israel

:Headline: Steve Clarke tells Scotland players they could create history against Israel: ID:416426: from db_amp
The national team boss named his 26-man squad for the crunch Euro 2020 play-off semi-final clash.

Steve Clarke insists his Scotland players are well aware of what is at stake against Israel on Thursday week.

The national team boss named his 26-man squad for the crunch Euro 2020 play-off semi-final clash and the following Nations League matches against Slovakia and Czech Republic.

All three games at Hampden Park next month will be played behind closed doors due to on-going Covid-19 crowd restriction but Clarke insists his players are keen to reach the final against either Serbia or Norway next month and then the first major finals since the 1998 World Cup in France.

"You have to respect the magnitude of the game," said Clarke, whose side drew 1-1 with Israel at Hampden Park in their Nations League opener earlier in the month.

"I spoke to the players before in previous camps, that they have the chance to make a little bit of history for their country.

"The players are aware of the size of the game and what it means to the country and they are determined to make sure we put on a good show and make sure we are still involved come November.

“The players are aware of the size of the game and what it means to the country and they are determined to make sure we put on a good show”
- Steve Clarke

"The last game against them re-emphasised that they are a really good team with good attacking options.

"It will come down to what it always comes down to – don't make mistakes and hope that someone can come up with something special for Scotland."

Clarke was happy to see Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie and Dundee United attacker Lawrence Shankland return from injuries, although disappointed to see Celtic's James Forrest miss out with an ankle complaint.

Ryan Fraser was left out of Clarke's last squad due to the fact he was without a club at the time but returns having signed for Newcastle, while Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous is also included for the second time in the full squad as reward for an impressive start to the season at Easter Road.

Lawrence Shankland back in Scotland squad (Tim Goode/PA)

Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack was expected to miss this month's internationals with a calf injury sustained against Dundee United a fortnight ago but with Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard confirming he will return to training this week, he has also been handed a call-up.

Clarke said: "It is good to have Lawrence back available, he came into the squad at the end of last year and did well for us.

"He got his first goal against San Marino and I am sure he is looking forward to adding to that tally.

"Ryan  (Porteous) was in the squad in November and I thought he trained well with us.

"He didn't get the chance to play but he comes into the squad this time on the back of a really good start for his club and I look forward to working with him again.

"Obviously if he (Ryan Jack) is not fit to play for Rangers in the next two games it will be more difficult to come with the Scottish national team but I will give him every chance to be fit and available."

The original play-off semi-final was scheduled for March in front of a packed Hampden only for it to fall foul of the coronavirus.

Clarke said: "I don't think there is too much point going on and on about the crowds.

"We just have to accept that and make sure that no matter who is in the stadium, the supporters will be somewhere safe, socially distancing and we can give them something to smile about at the end of the night.

"For the original tie in March, we sold 50,000 tickets, there was going to be a big interest and we knew they would be there to help us. They won't be there in body but they will be there in spirit."

amp_article__416426 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-09-29 16:32:24:
html db last update - 2020-09-29 16:32:24 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Steve Clarke

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
Read more about Steve Clarke Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .