Despite his car crash performance as a substitute against the Netherlands The Scotsman is calling for Steve Clarke to play John Souttar tomorrow night against Michael O’Neill’s team at Hampden.
Replacing Kieran Tierney in the 68th minute, Souttar barely managed to get anything right as the Dutch scored three times and were unlucky not to add a few more to the scoreline.
Without the protection of Scottish referees turning a blind eye to shirt pulling and body-checking the Ibrox star was badly exposed although allowances have to be made for a defensive partnership that saw Souttar playing alongside Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous.
Clarke has some serious issues to address before facing Germany in the opening match of the European Championships, providing a helpful suggestion in The Scotsman Matthew Elder reports:
John Souttar was another who came off the bench and struggled against the Dutch, with the right-footed centre-back looking uncomfortable on the left of the back three after replacing Kieran Tierney.
Based on his performances for Rangers this season, he deserves another chance to stake a claim. Ryan Porteous was impressive against the Dutch, as he has been in a Scotland jersey since making his debut 18 months ago, but Clarke needs to have a look at an alternative for his position, just in case, and Souttar would be the one who could slot in against Northern Ireland.
Injuries to Scott McKenna and Grant Hanley left Clarke with little option but to put Souttar on during Thursday’s friendly, there is no suggestion in the article that Tony Ralston should be given a chance to start ahead of Nathan Patterson.
He makes harry Maguire look like beckenbauer.
— Garymcb1982 (@Garymcbride1982) March 23, 2024
Stevie Clarke will not listen to ‘The Scotsman’ –
And anyway – Who is this ‘Scotsman’ anyway…
Probably some idiot scrawling with crayons for The Daily Record more than likely !
Being down to about 8,000 print copies a day, The Hootsmon’s readership could now comfortably fit inside St Mirren’s ground!
It’s days of forming anyone’s opinions are long over and it’s “circling the drain”.
Be careful what you wish for?
Stevie Clarke and Scotland share a huge stage in opening the 2024 Euros and if they don’t get it just right, they are not competitive, then it could be hugely embarrassing for them.
Scotsman journos will always have the option to disappear under the the proverbial table!
Souttar is good enough in the SPL…anything above that is a step far too far…