'Different' Clarke bids to smash Scotland's glass ceiling
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Steve Clarke told BBC Scotland he is a 'different' manager ahead of a third major tournament, with Sunday's World Cup opener against Haiti (02:00 BST) ending a 28-year men's finals absence for Scotland.
- Clarke admitted he 'didn't really enjoy' the previous two tournaments, citing reduced Covid-era crowds and two group games at Hampden during Euro 2020, plus a Euro 2024 showing in Germany where 'we didn't play as well as we should have'.
- Clarke has switched to an aggressive 4-4-2 with two central strikers and Ben Doak operating off the right wing, saying international camps don't allow the system-drilling time available at club level.
- Scotland handed Clarke a new four-year contract at the end of last month, after underwhelming friendly defeats to Japan and Ivory Coast had cooled the mood following November's qualification-clinching win over Denmark.
- Clarke referenced the 5-1 Euro 2024 opening loss to hosts Germany as a tournament-defining 'letdown' that put Scotland on the back foot, insisting 'this time, we have to make sure we start on the front foot'.
- Scotland warmed up with a 4-1 win over 10-man Curacao and a 4-0 victory over Bolivia, though Clarke acknowledged the positive vibe has not yet transferred to competitive football.
- Clarke said the squad will get extended family time in Boston over the weekend — a deliberate change from Euro 2024, where post-match family visits lasted only 15-20 minutes before the squad returned to base.
Why it matters: Scotland's men return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence, with Clarke now employing a 4-4-2 and a fresh four-year contract. Clarke framed the Haiti opener as essential to avoid the back-foot start that doomed their Euro 2024 campaign, including a 5-1 loss to hosts Germany.
