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My stars were hurt & angry after Iceland shock – I trust them to put on a show in World Cup qualifiers says Steve Clarke
He handed a number of players their debuts this international break
11 ANGRY MEN My stars were hurt & angry after Iceland shock – I trust them to put on a show in World Cup qualifiers says Steve Clarke
STEVE CLARKE praised his ANGRY men as Scotland took their frustration out on Liechtenstein.
Clarke said his side had a point to prove after Friday's dismal loss to Iceland at Hampden.
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Scotland stars before kick-off in Vaduz
Credit: SNS
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Steve Clarke during the friendly fixture
Credit: Getty
Che Adams' hat-trick and George Hirst's first Scotland goal ensured there would be no more misery for the Tartan Army in Vaduz.
Clarke said: 'There was a lot of hurt and anger in the dressing-room after Friday and hopefully we can harness that going into the autumn games.
'They knew that they'd let themselves down in the previous match.
'Getting the early goal made it more comfortable and it was nice to build on that with another three goals.
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'Teams maybe come here and win but not too many come and score four goals. So that's nice.'
Clarke believes his side are ready to face Denmark and Greece in the World Cup qualifiers which begin in Copenhagen on September 5.
He added: 'Look at the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain.
'The best two teams in Europe competing in a final - but we have shown we can compete.
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'In recent times, this Scotland team has shown how competitive they can be against that kind of side.
'What we have to do is make sure when it comes to the qualifiers that we are very competitive again.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke reflects on shock Nations League defeat to Greece
'This game wasn't about a feelgood factor because it's still a disappointing camp as we lost the home game.
'I am certainly going to carry that into the summer.
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'But I know my players and I trust them.
'They have always shown resilience when they've had to bounce back.
'These games have no bearing on later in the year but it's nice to get the win.
'Liechtenstein defended well, mainly because we dominated the ball in possession.'
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Clarke handed Ross Doohan his debut after his late call-up to the squad, with youngsters Cieran Slicker and Callan McKenna staying on the bench.
Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller was also given his first start and impressed alongside birthday boy Billy Gilmour - 24 on Wednesday - in midfield.
Clarke side: 'We saw his experience, with the many clubs where he's already played, he showed a high performance today.
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Lennon Miller during the game against Liechtenstein
Credit: SNS
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'Lennon played well with Billy and they moved the ball well on a sticky pitch.
'I thought we were good in midfield.
'It wasn't easy to pass the ball because the pitch was a bit sticky but both of them were at it.
'We know what Lennon can do, he's a big prospect for us. It's nice to get these players on the pitch at an early age where you can start to give them international experience.
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'It's all about building the squad for the future.
'We have the boys we rely on now but you look at the team that finished the game and there were a lot of inexperienced players at this level.
'Hopefully in the coming years, they pick up more caps.'
Clarke will now begin the search for a new number two with long-serving assistant John Carver stepping down to concentrate on his post at Pole Lechia Gdansk.
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He took a bow before the Tartan Army after the victory in Vaduz.
Clarke said: 'John's wave goodbye to the crowd was probably a giveaway.
'He's leaving, he's got a three-year contract in Gdansk.
'He's been a fantastic assistant to me.
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'When I approached John five years ago to come and help us, I didn't think we'd have him that long because he's such a talented coach.
'We came across each other way back in 1998 at Newcastle when I was a young coach and John was an even younger coach.
'He was looking after the younger players at Newcastle.
'We always said that we'd try and work together and it took us a long time to get there.
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'He's been outstanding for us and the only surprise to me is that it's taken five years for somebody to take him off me.
'We're pleased he's been here with us for so long and we wish him all the best in Gdansk.
How they rated
Ross Doohan - Scotland debut after dashing from a beach in Turkey over the weekend to answer Steve Clarke's keeper SOS. Could have played with his flip flops on. A trouble-free first cap 7
Anthony Ralston - Replaced Max Johnston to win his 21st cap and tasked with working the right-hand side along with Lewis Ferguson as Scotland tried to pick as many holes in the Liechtenstein defence 7
Scott McKenna - Not much to worry about defensively so biggest role came as someone Scotland tried to hit at corners. Nearly set up Jack Hendry in the first half but his partner nodded over 7
Jack Hendry - Comfort on the ball and range of passing helped the team build from the back and keep so much pressure on for the duration of the game. Rarely troubled in a defensive sense 7
Andy Robertson - Didn't have too much to worry about on the defensive side so was able to get high up the pitch and help John McGinn. Combined well with the Aston Villa star 6
Lennon Miller - Set up Adams' second with his pressing and stamped his authority on the entire game. Has a huge future ahead of him for the national team. First start of many 8
Billy Gilmour - Controlled the game from the middle of the park, knitting everything together between the defenders and attacking players. Just oozes class on the ball and makes the side tick 7
John McGinn - Wide left so dovetailed with Andy Robertson well down that flank. Denied a goal by a good first-half save from goalie Benjamin Buchel. Shot off the post just before the third 6
Lewis Ferguson - Deployed on the right-hand side of midfield and played a key role in keeping the Liechtensteiners penned in for most of the contest. A solid display from the Bologna man 7
George Hirst - Denied several times against Iceland but finally got off the mark with a neat back post finish early in the second half. Shown enough to suggest he's got something to offer 7
Che Adams - Slammed home the opener early on, then added a second in the 25th minute after Lennon Miller's pressure paid off. Headed home for his deserved hat-trick at the death 8
Subs: Josh Doig (Robertson 58) - Lively and had a couple of shots 4. Andy Irving (McGinn 58) - On for McGinn for first cap 4. Nathan Patterson (Ralston 67) - Second half sub 3. Tommy Conway (Hirst 67) - Set up Adams' 3rd 4. Connor Barron (Gilmour 76) - Another debut 3. Kieran Bowie (Ferguson 76) - First cap 3
'We will miss him and I now have to look for someone to replace him.
'That's one of my jobs over the summer and I will have conversations with people.
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'But his will be big shoes to fill.'
Ipswich striker George Hirst was delighted to grab his first international goal in Liechtenstein.
He said: "It was a great feeling. It's always nice to get the first goal early in your career and break your duck.
"To get my first Scotland goal is massive for me but it was a great team performance by the boys.
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"We were very professional against a team who tried to make it difficult.
"To score four goals is a job well done.
"It was very disappointing on Friday and we all knew that - we had to look at ourselves first and foremost.
"But you always have an opportunity to bounce back in football.
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"We took the opportunity to put things right.
"The pitch was dry and there could have been a million excuses, but we showed the right mentality to win the game.
"Playing beside Che certainly made my running easier.
"That's the first time we've been a partnership but we had a good understanding and I certainly won't be complaining if that's the case moving forward."
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