Steve Clarke addressed the media for the first time since Scotland’s exit from Euro 2024 as he named his squad for next month’s Nations League games against Poland and Portugal.
Here’s what he had to say:
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Reflecting on Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign, Clarke said “it wasn’t our tournament, a lot of little things didn’t fall our way”.
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He said his overriding emotion was “disappointment” but in football it is imperative to move on.
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He reiterated his ambition to reach a World Cup with Scotland and stressed his group of players are “determined” to get there: “For some players, it will be their last chance… my last chance, too.”
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When asked if he considered his position after the campaign, the Scotland head coach replied: “No, never”. Asked what kept him on, he said: “My contract”.
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On criticism, Clarke said: “When you don’t achieve your targets, there’s always criticism. If all criticism comes at me, that’s fine, I can take it”.
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On his comments about Argentinian referee Facundo Tello after the defeat to Hungary, Clarke said: “I was a disappointed, frustrated coach with a lot of emotion”.
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Clarke gave his thanks to Callum McGregor and expressed his disappointment to lose him but said he “respects his decision”.
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He added that “no one else has indicated retirement”.
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On his squad for the upcoming Nations League games, he said he wanted to “freshen things up, take a look at some players and develop a deeper pool”.
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Ryan Gauld was “in thoughts pre-tournament” as he is “a slightly different player to what we have, he’s creative”.
