Steve Clarke hailed Scotland's dream start in the Euro 2024 qualifiers - but warned his players to cut out the slackness against Spain.
A 3-0 victory at Hampden over Group A bottom dogs Cyprus got the campaign off to a flyer. A first half John McGinn strike and Scott McTominay’s late double secured a vital three points on the road to Germany. But the manager says his side thought it was too EASY at times against the Cypriots. And with the Spaniards up next in Glasgow on Tuesday night, Clarke insists any slackness will be punished.
After a comfortable victory, the manager said: “It’s a good start to the group with three points. There were some good things and other bits we need to get better at. But overall, it was very pleasing. It’s nice to start the campaign with what looks like a comprehensive home win with a 3-0 scoreline.
“I thought we were really good for half an hour. But then I just felt we got a little bit sloppy and casual. I told them at half-time: ‘Maybe you feel it’s a bit too easy - but it’s not because the scoreline says it’s not’.
“I just felt we didn’t get our press quite right and it’s something we’ll have to be better at on Tuesday night against top quality opposition. It’s something we can work on. Normally our press is pretty good, especially at home. But I didn’t like it today and the fact we got casual in possession, feeling like it was too easy for us.
“The headlines should still be positive, though. It’s a better start than we’ve had to a European Championship campaign in a long time.
“Against the teams seeded lower than you, it’s important to pick up maximum points at home. It’s a really good start but we have to try and back it up on Tuesday against the Spanish.
“Cyprus were organised but we managed to contain them. There wasn’t much threat on our goal. But at 1-0 it’s always nervous. So we always want to improve. You always want the perfect performance and it’s rare that you get it. But you have to look for it all the time. In saying that, if we don’t get it on Tuesday night and still get a result, we’ll come away happy.”
Clarke might have to face Luis de la Fuente’s side without first choice striker Che Adams who limped off yesterday with a calf problem. Scotland’s medics will assess the Southampton star before Tuesday but the manager says he’s a major doubt.
Clarke said: “Che just felt his calf tighten a little bit before he came off. We’ll assess him and see how he is. It’s too early to decide whether he’s going to be in or out.
“But it’s obviously a short turnaround to the next game so if it’s 50-50 that would be optimistic, to be honest. If somebody comes off with a tight calf you’re not too sure what’s going to happen.”
One of Clarke’s biggest decisions ahead of the Euro 2024 curtain raiser was who to pick in goal. With Craig Gordon injured, he chose Norwich City’s Angus Gunn ahead of Zander Clark and Liam Kelly after he changed allegiances from England.
Gunn was rarely troubled by the Cypriots but Clarke was pleased with his debut. He said: “His handling was clean.
“On a greasy surface, sometimes when you’re a little bit nervous, you could spill one. But his handling was clean. His kicking was also good.
“The only thing I said to him at half-time was ‘check your studs,’ because he had a little slip that made everybody a little bit nervous. Thankfully he sat on the ball and it was OK.
“But for a goalkeeper to get his first cap and play and get a clean sheet with no mistakes is good.”
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