Watch Steve Clarke’s car crash media conference crafted by Darryl Broadfoot

There was one aspect of the European Championship opener against Germany that was almost as bad as the performance of Andy Robertson’s team.

It wasn’t the analysis of management failures Ally McCoist and Ally McCoist but the angry post match media conference from Steve Clarke.

Including the delays between questions to shuffle the microphone it lasted five minutes in total with the Scotland boss very angry at the result, the performance and then the mainly embarrassing questions from the Scottish media corps.

No-one thought to ask Clarke about the sending off of Ryan Porteous, a ludicrous action from the former Hibs defender who has a long track record of similar challenges, usually ignored by Scottish referees.

Clarke had already given post-match interviews to a number of rights holders before he went to the all-in conference that included Robert Grieve, Keith Jackson, Stephen McGowan, Tom English and Raman Bhardwaj.

By Clarke’s side was Daryl Broadfoot whose sole job is to put out comforting messaging for the SFA. The former Herald reporter was previously Head of Communications at the SFA, now he is a partner at Frame Agency with the SFA paying out for his expert messaging and handling of the media.

After years in media conferences alongside McGowan, Jackson and Grieve the man from Frame knows what is expected and required- what was delivered last night was horrendous.

I doubt that the executives of Adidas were pleased to be associated with such a shabby performance.

Matthew Lindsay offered the only worthwhile question, away from the tears being shed over Billy Gilmour not starting.

Clarke was involved in an angry clash with set-piece specialist Austin McPhee who seemed to be in complete control as Scotland lumped hopeful free-kicks into the German penalty box.

LINDSAY: Steve, at one point in the match, eh, you had an angry exchange of words with your coach Austin McPhee. What were the reasons for that exchange of words and have you managed to smoothe it over and patch it up since then?

CLARKE: Is that a serious question?

LINDSAY: Yes.

CLARKE: Yes, we are fine. I can’t even remember it. It’s emotional on the touchline.

At various times during the laboured five minutes Broadfoot said ‘right, last question’ but the UEFA organisers continued to switch from reporter to reporter.

Clarke is expected to be kept away from reporters until Tuesday when he is obliged by UEFA to preview the match against Switzerland leaving John Carver to front things up at the daily media conferences.