Steve Clarke is understandably pleased after witnessing his Scotland side secure a comfortable 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein in their recent friendly match. The win, highlighted by a Che Adams hat-trick, provided a much-needed confidence boost for the team after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Iceland. Clarke emphasized the importance of his players bouncing back and displaying resilience, qualities he knows they possess.
Clarke made several changes to the starting lineup for the Liechtenstein game, with Ross Doohan earning his first cap in goal. The Scotland boss praised the new faces in the squad, including Lennon Miller, for seizing their opportunity and showcasing their abilities on the international stage. He highlighted the value of giving players a chance to prove themselves, especially in friendly matches where experimentation is possible without the pressure of competitive fixtures.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Che Adams, who not only scored a hat-trick but also provided an assist. Clarke expressed his delight for Adams, acknowledging the striker's desire to score and the release of tension that came with his early goal. He further elaborated that strikers need goals, and he was happy that he left Adams on the pitch long enough for him to complete his hat-trick. The manager also lauded Adams' unselfish play, pointing out his assist for George Hirst's goal, which marked Hirst's first for Scotland. Clarke has previously deployed a two-striker system with success, and the goals from both Adams and Hirst against Liechtenstein validated that approach.
The victory also marked several milestones for Scotland under Steve Clarke. It was their third consecutive away win, a feat not achieved by a Scotland manager more than once since Bobby Brown. Furthermore, the 4-0 scoreline represented their largest away win margin since defeating Albania by the same score in November 2018. While acknowledging that Liechtenstein, ranked 205th in the world, presented a different challenge compared to upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Clarke stressed the importance of building momentum and instilling confidence within the squad. He knows "Clarke's side will have bigger tests than a team that has even lost to San Marino, but there are important World Cup qualifiers for the rest of the year."
Clarke's focus now shifts to preparing the team for those crucial World Cup qualifiers. He will be hoping that Adams' rediscovered scoring touch and the emergence of new talents will provide a competitive edge as they aim to secure a place in the tournament. The Scotland boss also said goodbye to assistant manager John Carver after the match.
