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Steve Clarke reacts to unexpected Celtic decision

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Steve Clarke is disappointed that he won’t have any Celtic players in his Scotland squad to face Turkey next Wednesday.

International friendlies are taking place worldwide next week but as it hasn’t been declared an international break by FIFA clubs aren’t obliged to release players.

The morning after the Turkey friendly Celtic face Sydney FC in a friendly followed three days later by a match against Everton.

David Turnbull, Greg Taylor and Tony Ralston would almost certainly have been named in the Scotland squad but will be thousands of miles away from the action in Turkey.

The Daily Record reports Clarke saying:

The baseline is that it’s not an official international window. I don’t know why because there’s a World Cup window going on. That sounds pretty official to me.

That’s what it is. The clubs don’t have to release their players and Celtic have chosen not to release their players for this game. I have to say I’m disappointed with that decision but we have to take it on the chin and it’s a chance for someone else. It was just a blanket decision. Celtic have said that none of their players are available for any international games.

Were Celtic right to withhold players from the Scotland squad

No, always a great honour to represent the SFA

No, always a great honour to represent the SFA

Yes, Celtic comes first every time. Great decision, at last

Yes, Celtic comes first every time. Great decision, at last

Scotland don’t play any competitive matches until March when they start their European Championship campaign.

The benefits of the game in Turkey is hard to assess, over the weekend there is likely to be a number of call offs from the 23 man squad. During the last international break Clarke ended up calling in Barrie McKay and Steven Kingsley to his depleted squad.

CLICK HERE for full Scotland squad.

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0 comments

  • Gerard Graham says:

    Now do youse all get it..Don’t F-ck with Big Ange..Simple

  • Justshatered says:

    “The baseline is that it’s not an official international window. I don’t know why because there’s a World Cup window going on. That sounds pretty official to me.”

    It would be official if Scotland had qualified fir the World Cup. We didn’t, it isn’t what’s difficult to understand ?

    What I find difficult to understand is that everyone has known for a long time when this World Cup was happening. Celtic made their plans for this period months ago and now, because FIFA make a last minute decision, clubs are expected to release players.
    Typical nonsense.

  • Jim The Tim says:

    I remember Scotland preparing at Seamill for a World Cup.
    A game was set up with the Celtic team. On starting Jock Stein noticed Yogj Hughes and wee Jinky sitting on the bench.
    Jock suggested that because they were not getting played for the Scotland bounce team, Yogi and Jinky should join their Celtic mates.
    The offer was refused ( Queer fkn Scottish systems).
    Celtic won the game 3-0.

    Informed by a Celtic participant that phoned in sick when selected by Scptland .
    ( how the fk did Ian Ure get picked before Billy McNeil, how many cups did that fkr hold high)

    Fkem

  • scouse bhoy says:

    the ryan christie covid shambles was enough for me . well done ange.

  • the maister says:

    He had two left-backs and couldn’t decide which one was the better. So he played the both of them! Couldn’t make it up! Like a duck with two right wings. It flies round in circles. Geez a breks!

  • Lawrence Mathieson says:

    Turbull, Ralston and Taylor have been at every international for Clark and he has not used them.
    Plus he knew that Celtic were going to Australia.

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