Scotland 1-3 Iceland: What Clarke saidpublished at 22:46 6 June
22:46 6 June
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Scotland manager Steve Clarke: "It was disappointing, the night didn't get off to a great start.
"We lost our goalie and compounded that by conceding the first goal.
"It's difficult for Cieran [Slicker], I really feel for him. He got thrown into a situation that he wasn't quite ready for but Craig Gordon's injured, Liam Kelly's injured, Zander Clark is injured.
"It's something I thought might come back to bite us, the only good thing is it came in a friendly match.
"I've had young Callan McKenna in the squad so he'll travel then we'll have a look and see if we can find another one in Scotland who's not on holiday.
"If you get injured in the first couple of minutes and then you come off, I'd imagine [Angus Gunn] won't play the next game.
"I've had young Callan McKenna in the squad, so he'll travel, then we'll have a look and see if we can find another one in Scotland who's not on holiday.
"I'm not so sure it was too much to do with the shape, we just looked a little bit flat at times even when we got back in the game.
"We made their goalkeeper work a few times, on another night maybe you get those finishes and it would be a different story.
"In two days time we're going to Lichtenstein, so hopefully we'll get a performance."
Pundits react to calamitous Iceland defeatpublished at 22:43 6 June
22:43 6 June
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Michael Stewart on BBC Radio Scotland: "Very difficult [situation for Steve Clarke to manage Cieran Slicker now].
"There is another game coming up, Angus Gunn looks like he's not going to be fit, and I think it is quite apparent that it will be a big call.
"Do you stick with him and hope he can put in a performance that gives him some belief and feels like he's capable, or do you go for damage limitation and recognise that he's not really going to be playing for Scotland in the future and give Robby McCrorie an opportunity?
"I don't think there's a right or wrong way to play this. I feel for Slicker, it's a horrible situation to be in, but that is the ruthlessness of football at this top level, and it's been exposed there badly."
Willie Miller on BBC Radio Scotland: "You have to find out what's in the player's mind as well, how he's feeling about it.
"What you're looking for is honesty from him [Slicker]. Does he feel like he can take on the challenge in the next game, or that he doesn't want to?
"Does the manager want to take him out of the firing line?
"There are a lot of questions there, and I think it's difficult for us to answer what decision the manager should make without knowing all of the facts and without having spoken to the player himself."
Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes on BBC Scotland: "Football is a lot about momentum.
"When you're playing you need to be winning games. When you don't win them, and you're not winning, you don't perform, it's extra hurt, it's extra eyes looking in.
"I think we need to go back to our basics. We've been here before, people doubted us all the time. We need to make sure we get back to it and get the hunger back."
Former Scotland forward James McFadden on BBC One Scotland: "There has to be a concern.
"We need to start building momentum going into this qualification campaign because it is a tough group."
Former Scotland forward Steven Thompson on BBC One Scotland: "We're getting closer to the real stuff and it's been so long since we qualified for a World Cup.
If you go back only a very short period of time Steve Clarke could do no wrong.
This is still a defeat, at home, to a weaker nation than ourselves and questions will be asked. When you go into proper World Cup qualifying, these performances won't be tolerated.
Context lost when emotion involved - analysispublished at 22:20 6 June
22:20 6 June
Scott Mullen BBC Sport Scotland
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It is early doors for Scotland and Clarke. In fact, the 2026 World Cup campaign hasn't even started yet. But this whole affair had an air of end-of-season to it.
Losing your goalkeeper after two minutes is a huge disruption. So is throwing on one in Ipswich Town back-up Slicker who has only played 10 minutes of football since August 2023 and never appeared in a league game.
Clarke chose to experiment in his starting XI, but it was evolution rather than revolution with his changes.
Max Johnston didn't disgrace himself at right-wing back, Hirst was unfortunate not to get his goal, and Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller got his first cap.
However, Scotland had won all six previous meetings with Iceland and, even with taking a long season into account, the Tartan Army would have expected more.
The few who were left inside Hampden at full-time articulated that clearly.
Next up is a trip to Liechtenstein on Monday - live on BBC Scotland if you're brave enough - before the proper stuff begins in September.
Right now, that feels a long way away. Even this far out, so does the prospect of a first World Cup since 1998.
Ferguson and Souttar react to Iceland defeat published at 22:18 6 June
22:18 6 June
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Scotland's Lewis Ferguson tells BBC Scotland: "It's been a long season for a lot of the lads but we're here to do a job.
"We set out to win the game but we're nowhere near the standard we, or anybody expects.
"We set our standards pretty high and we were nowhere near that. We conceded sloppy goals from set pieces and that's just not good enough, it gives us too much to do."
Scotland defender John Souttar tells BBC Scotland: "It was a tough night, didn't go at all how we wanted it to go.
"We wanted to dominate and take the ball to them and we didn't do that tonight. We conceded a poor goal before half-time and they went 3-1 up after the break and we never got going at all. It's one we'll need to look back on tomorrow, we're aware it's not good enough.
"We need to go and win the game [against Lichtenstein], put on a performance and get a bit of momentum back going into the September internationals."
On fans booing the side, he adds: "Obviously it's not great. You don't want to be part of that, but the fans pay their money, they can boo if they want.
"If we weren't good enough in the first half, I'm sure they can do what they want. Yes, it's not great to hear, but it's part and parcel when we win, they're behind us, so it's part and parcel of football."
'Nowhere near good enough' - Robertsonpublished at 22:16 6 June
22:16 6 June
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Scotland captain Andy Robertson tells BBC Scotland: "I think we all know that's nowhere near good enough.
"I don't want to say too much, we need to digest this and speak in the changing room before we start doing interviews.
"I think we were too easily played through, any chance they had they scored. We weren't good enough on the ball, created chances but didn't take them. Nowhere near good enough.
"Getting beat 3-1 at home by a team that, no disrespect, you should beat but they've been better than us. I imagine they've had more possession, I'd imagine more chances, they've got more goals and that's all that matters.
"I don't think you can put a finger on one thing but we need to get it right pretty quickly."
Clarke hails his title-winning Scotland playerspublished at 16:34 6 June
16:34 6 June
Media caption,
Steve Clarke praises the title-winning players in his Scotland squad such as Napoli's Scott McTominay and Max Johnson of Strum Graz and says it shows the benefits of being prepared to "leave their comfort zone" by moving abroad.
Scotland 'should be grateful' they have Tierneypublished at 17:56 5 June
17:56 5 June
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Head coach Steve Clarke says Scotland "should be grateful" they have Kieran Tierney as the incoming Celtic defender prepares for his 50th cap.
The 28-year-old, who returns to Parkhead this summer following his Arsenal exit, is set to reach the milestone when the Scots face Iceland - live on the BBC - on Friday night at Hampden.
Despite suffering injury issues in recent years, Tierney's versatility to play at left-back and on the left of a back three has been vital throughout Clarke's reign.
"Kieran is a top, top player, we're lucky to have him," said Clarke, whose side will also face Lichtenstein on Monday.
"In recent years, he's had one or two little injury issues that have probably restricted his number of caps.
"I remember going down to London to meet him when he'd just moved to Arsenal to speak to him about his role within the squad and what we expected from him.
"Since then, myself and Kieran have had a really good relationship. So we should be grateful we've got him and hopefully it doesn't stop at 50 and the caps keep coming.
"There are many players in the squad now who are on over 50 caps and Kieran's just another one to add to that."
Clarke on limiting experimentation, Tierney milestone & goal-shy strikerspublished at 14:59 5 June
14:59 5 June
Jane Lewis BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
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International friendly: Scotland v Iceland
When: Friday, 6 June Where: Hampden Park Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app, online text updates, listen on BBC Radio Scotland
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been speaking to the media before the friendly against Iceland at Hampden on Friday night.
Here are the key points:
Clarke says it is beneficial to have friendlies, although he hinted he won't be experimenting too much with personnel. The "biggest thing" for him is that everyone has turned up - "one or two could made some excuses" - and all want to play.
On Kieran Tierney, who is set to win his 50th cap on Friday: "A top, top player, and we're lucky to have him". Clarke adds that if it wasn't for injuries, Tierney would have more caps.
While not inclined to experiment much with his line-up, Clarke says there has to be a cycle and turnover of players, but youngsters are being brought in to experience what it's like being in the camp and understand where they need to get to for selection.
Clarke adds it's important not to "discard" players who've been relatively successful over the years.
He says one or two players involved in the last camp, such as Max Johnston, have come into this one with more confidence. "You can tell immediately he's maturing," says Clarke of Johnston.
No striker has scored for Scotland in the past 11 games, but Clarke refuses to be "too harsh" on them, insisting they play a certain way to link the play and bring the midfield into the final third. "They make a major contribution to getting the goals."
Clarke is at a loss to explain Scotland's poor record in friendlies - one win in nine - and says it would be nice to change that in the next two games.
He says Iceland will be tough opponents despite the disappointment of their Nations League play-off defeat by Kosovo. They "have a threat" and will want to have a go, so he's expecting an entertaining night.
'Do you have a Ferrari like Ronaldo?'published at 14:50 4 June
14:50 4 June
Media caption,
Scotland captain Andy Robertson takes on quickfire questions
Does Andy Robertson have a Ferrari like Ronaldo? Has he ever been on a bouncy castle? What's his favourite film?
Watch the Scotland captain Andy Robertson take on quickfire questions from Scottish kids.
Scots' success abroad 'huge help' to national teampublished at 12:52 4 June
12:52 4 June
Martin Dowden BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
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Defender Max Johnston believes the recent success of Scots abroad will be of huge help to the national team as they build towards the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.
Johnston was part of the Sturm Graz side that clinched back-to-back league titles to mark another silverware winning season in Austria.
That, alongside Serie A success for Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour with Napoli, and Lewis Ferguson captaining Bologna to the Coppa Italia, gives Johnston the belief that a winning mentality is growing throughout Steve Clarke's squad.
In the build-up to the friendly double-header against Iceland and Liechtenstein, the xx-year-old said: "It was really enjoyable for me winning the league over in Austria.
"It's amazing to see how many trophies in so many different countries the boys have won. It's amazing to see Scottish players doing so well abroad.
"It's really encouraging for us that players are starting to win titles and cups now so I think that's going to be huge for us.
"As a footballer you want to be a winner. It's great to see and I think it will be a huge help to us. It'll definitely help us."
The former Motherwell wing-back has one cap, a brief cameo in the 1-0 win in Greece in the Nations League play-off first leg in March, and is keen to build on that and the Champions League experience he gained last term.
"I've got a small taste for it and it's just made me hungry for more," Johnston said.
"It is a huge honour to be involved in the squad again and coming off a good camp, last camp for me personally.
"Any opportunity I get to represent my country is obviously an amazing opportunity. I love it.
"I feel like I've improved, definitely, by getting the amount of minutes that I've managed to get.
"As a footballer you need to play to continue to learn. I've been learning and improving every week.