Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been talking to the media before his side’s World Cup qualifier against Greece on Saturday.
Here are the best bits from his news conference:
- Everybody has arrived in good fettle and no new injury worries. He hasn’t officially told the players the team, but they have a fair idea. He would not be drawn on who his goalkeeper will be.
- Clarke said he wasn’t “spooked” by the poor performance against Belarus because “it happens in football”. He said his anger at half-time during that game was “from a little bit of fear” that Scotland might drop points “in a game we shouldn’t drop points in and then suddenly you’re behind the eight ball”.
- Asked if he needs more from his senior players on Saturday night against Greece, Clarke replied that he needs more from every player.
- Scotland medical staff are in touch with counterparts in Napoli about Billy Gilmour’s fitness for Tuesday night against Denmark. Clarke is expecting more news after Saturday’s game.
- Clarke has not allowed his mind to drift to what-might-be if the next two games go Scotland’s way. “No, I’m focused on this game. We need to get a positive result. We need a draw or a win. That makes the second game [against Denmark] much more relevant.”
- Asked if he thinks the stakes on Saturday and Tuesday will help the team, Clarke said: “I think they knew the stakes were so high last time, which is maybe why they probably panicked a little bit during the Belarus game when they lost sight of what they were actually trying to do, which was win the game comfortably.”
- Has he seen what he wants to see from his players this week? “The players are ready. They understand the magnitude of the game coming up.”

