A much-changed Scotland suffered another friendly defeat, with Ivory Coast winning 1-0 at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday night
Steve Clarke during an international friendly match between Scotland and Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: (Kate McShane/Getty Images))
Steve Clarke and his Scotland side have been told to go and make history at this summer’s World Cup. The Tartan Army secured a place at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 when stoppage-time goals by Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean secured a thrilling 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park back in November.
Clarke’s side, who were beaten 1-0 by Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium last night, will be in a group with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, with the top two plus eight of the best third-placed teams from the 12 groups qualifying for the last 32.
After being eliminated from Euro 2024 at the group stage, former Scotland forward Chris Iwelumo has called on Clarke’s side to make history by reaching the knockout phase of a major competition for the first time.
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“I want Steve Clarke’s side to do something no Scotland side has ever done before: qualify from the group stages,” he said.
“I am based out in Mexico for the World Cup, but they have done ever so well; this will be three major tournaments out of four for Steve Clarke.
“But now it is all about qualifying from the group, and it is possible because we have a good quality side, but they have to have that belief in themselves.
“I think they have learnt from what happened in Germany at the Euros; they were probably a little bit too conservative there.
Andrew Robertson of Scotland embraces Stephen Clarke, Head Coach of Scotland, after defeat to Germany during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Scotland at Munich Football Arena (Image: 2024 Getty Images)
“They just need to go there, play risk-free and try and do something that has never been done before because if you look at the quality in the group, it definitely has the potential to go and do something that has never been done before.”
Clarke has overseen qualification for three major tournaments since taking charge of the national team in 2019, but his future was called into question following Euro 2024. However, the Scottish FA stood by the former West Bromwich Albion, Reading and Kilmarnock boss.
And Iwelumo believes: “It is a lesson for all owners. The federation have stuck by him and given him time, even though the Euros was a bit of a disappointment.
“But we all know what the manager is all about, and the players have brought into that as well, and I think stability is always good.
“If you look at the Premier League all the way down, just stick with your manager. Give them the time to recruit, change and then kick on.”
Steve Clarke, Head Coach of Scotland(Image: Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Agreeing with Iwelumo, former Everton forward Andy Gray, speaking via BetSelect.co.uk, said: “When we have a couple of bad results, everyone screams and stamps their feet, says he’s got to go, he’s too boring, he’s too pragmatic, we don’t see enough of this or that.
“But that’s it, that’s the way he is, that’s his personality. He’s not going to change that for anybody. But the boys like him, and they get on.
“Everybody seems to like Steve and his coaching. He’s gathered a club mentality around the internationals, which I like a lot. Look at Tottenham. Look at how many times they’ve changed coaches in the last few years, and look where they are. Wolves the same.
“It’s not necessarily that if you keep changing coaches, you’re going to get success. No, it’s sometimes the opposite.
“If you’re patient and you give your coach who you believe in enough time, then you get the benefits, and we’ve done that, and I’m delighted.”
*Chris Iwelumo was speaking at the launch of Pro Project Promotions A Night To Remember II at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, where he will fight Lee Trundle later this month to raise money for charity.