'Clarke must go' or 'only a friendly defeat'

BBC News

5 hours ago

It is fair to say many Scotland fans are raging with Friday's 3-1 home defeat by Iceland.We asked for your views and the consensus is that Steve Clarke has lost his way as head coach, even past his sell-by date, with the players underachieving considering the talent at his disposal.As their team prepare for Monday's friendly in Liechtenstein, the Tartan Army want him to freshen up his squad, change his tactics, or just go...
'Don't blame Slicker - blame Clarke'
Much of the spotlight on Friday was on goalkeeping errors from debutant substitute goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, but most fans think the 22-year-old should not be blamed for what are seen as more widespread problems.Alan: An absolute shocker of a performance against Iceland, with the horrific goalkeeping situation coming to the fore. Only George Hirst came close to pass marks. World Cup qualification hopes look slim at best and Clarke's future surely has to be in doubt. The team look to be lacking any ambition and inspiration.Weegiedoh: Put Slicker in the next game. It was not his fault Scotland were poor. They never protected the young guy. We had nothing to play for and it looked like the players were just going through the motions. Clarke is not the man to take us into the World Cup games. Franny: That is as bad a performance as I have witnessed in six decades as a Scotland fan. We have been woeful recently. Creatively barren and boring. Time for a new coaching team with fresh ideas? Definitely.Jim: Clarke should have gone after the Euros and should go now before the World Cup campaign starts, or we definitely won't qualify. That was awful again and for how much longer is the SFA going to sit back and expect fans to pay good money to watch abject performances like that?. Ian: Scotland looked like an ageing team coming to the end of their cycle. Clarke has to realise it's time up for Grant Hanley and the Kieran Tierney/Andy Robertson set-up is done. A younger injection was needed after the last Euros. I see no chance of reaching the World Cup.Jarek: Very disappointing and uninspiring. We need to find a way to attack far more effectively as we look toothless. As for the defending and goalkeeping - don't get me started. Only saving grace is we tend to be far better in qualifying matches.
'Clarke lacks ideas and is too loyal'
Some of you fear for Scotland's chances should Clarke still be in charge for the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September.Keith: Clarke has to go. He is devoid of ideas and the players are not motivated any more. He has one of the strongest midfields in Europe but can't do anything with it. His only decent results recently were entirely down to Ben Doak. He is holding the players back rather than developing the squad. Duncan: How can players be doing so brilliantly for their clubs and so badly for their country. Some of the older players need to be retired, but the team must find some fire and passion for the World Cup campaign. Clarke should change or go.Scott: It's not the team, it's the management. Experience and loyalty, such as Clarke has showed with Hanley and Robertson, is not a bad thing. But when the manager has lost that edge, as Clarke clearly has, it's time to go. The young keeper was at fault, but the atmosphere and lack of direction in the team, no doubt affected him.Alexander: I really feel we need to start playing younger players. Grant Hanley is clearly at the end of his career and it's shown in every international since the Euros. David: Clarke just isn't inventive. He is absolutely devoid of any ideas and should've walked after the Germany debacle.Martin: The pool of players in the Scottish team have all been successful at their clubs. And yet they are unable to play a co-ordinated organised game for Scotland. However, Scotland was having success with these players in the past, so what has changed? I think the root of the problem lies with the coaching staff, the tactics employed, and poor preparation.Scott: Clarke has to go - now. How many excuses for insipid performances? He sticks with people who are not delivering. His selections are unadventurous and uninspiring. The crowd now expects failure. He cannot get a performance out of these players - see the Euros. Time for a change now before we lose the first two World Cup qualifiers and have nothing to do for the next two years.
'Overreaction to a friendly'
There were, however, a few dissenting voices among the Tartan Army.Steve: These are friendly games where we learn about our strengths and weaknesses, which have been highlighted. Agreed, the performances are worrying, but if we can get them correct, the only games that will be important will be the World Cup qualifiers. If Scotland learn from this then we can have a good chance of qualifying and hopefully do well in the group stages in in 2026.Ryan: Tough one to take but is only friendly. Not great for momentum but bit of an overreaction from fans in my opinion. Luckily, when it comes to qualifiers, Clarke has a great record and will return right back to basics in September - our best chance in qualifying for sometime.Callum: Dire stuff at the moment, but keep the faith. Only one more friendly then the real football.