Clarke on limiting experimentation, Tierney milestone & goal-shy strikers
International friendly: Scotland v IcelandWhen: Friday, 6 June Where: Hampden Park Kick-off: 19:45 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app, online text updates, listen on BBC Radio Scotland
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been speaking to the media before the friendly against Iceland at Hampden on Friday night.Here are the key points:Clarke says it is beneficial to have friendlies, although he hinted he won't be experimenting too much with personnel. The "biggest thing" for him is that everyone has turned up - "one or two could made some excuses" - and all want to play.On Kieran Tierney, who is set to win his 50th cap on Friday: "A top, top player, and we're lucky to have him". Clarke adds that if it wasn't for injuries, Tierney would have more caps.While not inclined to experiment much with his line-up, Clarke says there has to be a cycle and turnover of players, but youngsters are being brought in to experience what it's like being in the camp and understand where they need to get to for selection.Clarke adds it's important not to "discard" players who've been relatively successful over the years.He says one or two players involved in the last camp, such as Max Johnston, have come into this one with more confidence. "You can tell immediately he's maturing," says Clarke of Johnston. No striker has scored for Scotland in the past 11 games, but Clarke refuses to be "too harsh" on them, insisting they play a certain way to link the play and bring the midfield into the final third. "They make a major contribution to getting the goals."Clarke is at a loss to explain Scotland's poor record in friendlies - one win in nine - and says it would be nice to change that in the next two games.He says Iceland will be tough opponents despite the disappointment of their Nations League play-off defeat by Kosovo. They "have a threat" and will want to have a go, so he's expecting an entertaining night.
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