Scotland Men's Football Team

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Will Scotland's remaining four Nations League games make or break Steve Clarke's future as head coach?

The national side have picked up just one victory in their last 14 matches, including a dismal Euro 2024 campaign in Germany.

Next up, Clarke's side face Croatia away on Saturday and Portugal at home on Tuesday in a Nations League A double-header.

Michael Grant, Scottish football correspondent for The Times, believes Clarke's already "awkward" position could significantly worsen.

"If we perform well and contribute a lot and make chances and there's far more energy and ambition in the performances than there was in the Euros, maybe that'll be okay," Grant told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"But at the same time, if it's another two defeats, you're going to one win in 16. That's the statistic we just can't get away from at the moment.

"It feels like every time I talk or write about Scotland, you feel obliged to put that in because it completely sets the mood.

"I think this is a very, very awkward spell for Clarke and it's quite feasible that we don't take anything from the next four games - Croatia away, and then Portugal at Hampden, and then next month we're away to Poland and home to Croatia. So there's no let-up.

"I think Steve Clark's job security will be shaped by what happens in the next four games."

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Jack MacKenzie admits his first Scotland call-up came as a surprise because he had "no idea" he was in Steve Clarke's thoughts.

The 24-year-old Aberdeen left-back has been drafted in for the Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal after Celtic's Greg Taylor withdrew injured.

MacKenzie will have two familiar faces for company, with Dons right-back Nicky Devlin already in the squad and striker Kevin Nisbet subsequently added.

"When I got the news, I phoned my dad first," MacKenzie said.

"He has been big inspiration for my football. He has always been there, so it was really nice to share the moment with him and speak to him about it. I also spoke to my mum. It's a great moment for all the family.

"It is an incredible feeling. It is something you dream of as a kid. I'm just absolutely buzzing.

"The only downside is I was looking forward to having two weeks away from Nicky Devlin, but that is obviously not going to be the case any more!

"I had no idea that I was even being considered for a call-up.

"I am full of confidence at the moment and looking forward to the opportunity. Staying fit has also been a big plus for me over the last year or so, and that has meant me getting a nice run of games."

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Craig Gordon is determined to reclaim the Scotland number one jersey for Saturday's Nations League match in Croatia just four months after fearing his international career was over.

The 41-year-old was cut from Scotland's Euro 2024 squad a week before the tournament began, with Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly and his Hearts colleague Zander Clark getting the nod to go to Germany.

With none of the Euros trio in the current squad - Gunn withdrawing due to injury and Clark and Kelly left out as a result of not playing at club level - Gordon is expected to win his 76th cap by being chosen ahead of uncapped duo Jon McCracken and Robby McCrorie to make his first Scotland start in almost two years.

"I just want to see where we go over this week, try and get myself in the team for the first game over in Croatia and see where it goes," said Gordon.

"There's no long-term thoughts other than just trying to play the next game and if I manage to play that one, then the one after that. It's really as short-term as that at the moment.

"Most other countries have probably gone through that [changing goalkeepers] a lot more. We've just had a very stable, settled group of goalkeepers over the last 20 years, and perhaps even longer.

"It's our turn to maybe be in the middle of that with injuries and players not playing."

Gordon's return to the national team comes after ousting Clark as first choice at Hearts amid a "strange" time, with the Tynecastle club winless and bottom of the Premiership after eight games.

"Winning games would help, keeping clean sheets would help, but it's been a difficult period for everybody," he added.

"I've been making saves in games and we've still been losing, so it's not going to get highlighted as much as it would if you contribute to a winning performance.

"It's a very strange time. I don't think I've ever been in a run quite like this at any stage of my career, so it's a bit new to me to go on a run as bad as this. It's not nice.

"I want to get back to winning matches and then I'll feel a bit better about myself, regardless of personal performances."

Jack Mackenzie's first Scotland call-up is a "great opportunity" for the Aberdeen left-back, says assistant John Carver.

MacKenzie, 24, has replaced Celtic's Greg Taylor for the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal.

"It's interesting because obviously we had the issue of Greg [Taylor] pulling out and I was going up to Aberdeen anyway and we have had a lot of good reports about him," Carver said.

"He has obviously had a great start, Aberdeen have had a fantastic start and they are playing with confidence.

"I just like the way he plays. He plays with confidence. He is a front-foot player who plays high and likes to get forward.

"It's a great opportunity for him. He came in this morning and is not overawed by the players.

"He trained great this morning so I am looking forward to seeing how he will develop."

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Scotland assistant John Carver says it's as if Craig Gordon has "never been away" from the international side as the 41-year-old eyes his 76th cap.

The Hearts goalkeeper was left out of Scotland's Euros squad in the summer and many believed his international career may be up.

But Gordon, who has reclaimed the number one spot at Tynecastle from Zander Clark, is now in line to start Saturday's Nations League game in Croatia after Angus Gunn added to the lengthy list of injury absentees.

"It's as if he has never been away," Carver said.

"He just walked in as if he is part of the fixture and fittings.

"If you think about the last conversation with Steve [Clarke] was after he had just had his 75th cap and he said to Steve, 'I want back to get 76 and 77', that is his attitude.

"Although he's 41, he has had three years out injured so in the football world he is really 38."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland assistant John Carver has been speaking to the media before the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal.

Here are the main points:

• Carver says Scotland may have to "suffer" in the Nations League top division but he can "guarantee" the team "will be better" in the long term as a result.

• He adds: "You can see what we are trying to do and there is a clear identity there, how we are going to play in and out of possession. I think we will continue with that and the results will come."

• Carver also insists fans are "more positive" about Scotland's fortunes despite just one win in 14.

• But he accepts recent form isn't good enough, although insists there are a lot of good things to take away from previous games.

• On the numerous injuries to the squad - with goalkeeper Angus Gunn the latest casualty - Carver says it's just something they have to deal with but notes it gives opportunities to other players.

• He adds: "We can't worry about the guys who are not here. We have to worry about the guys who are here. And the guys who are here have deserved to be called up."

• On Craig Gordon's recall, he says it's like the 41-year-old has never been away from the national side.

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Twice-capped Scotland striker Ross Stewart lasted just 21 minutes of his first start since joining Southampton from Sunderland last September.

The 28-year-old had made four substitute appearances since returning from long-term injury last month but limped off early against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Replacement Cameron Archer gave the visitors the lead before the hosts fought back to win 3-1 and stay third in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, more pressure is heaped on former Scotland defender Russell Martin with his Saints team sitting second bottom without a victory.

Ex-Scotland international Paul Lambert thinks Scott McTominay's move to Serie A side Napoli will be the making of him.

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui believes midfielder Andy Irving, 24, deserves his Scotland call-up. (Herald - subscription), external

Everton manager Sean Dyche has explained his cautious approach to a return to action for Nathan Patterson because of the Scotland right-back's "unusual" tendon injury that has meant the 22-year-old has not played since April. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Southampton manager Russell Martin retains the support of sporting director Rasmus Ankersen, but the former Scotland defender is facing scrutiny from Serbian billionaire owner Dragan Solak after a poor start to the Premier League season. (TalkSport), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views on Steve Clarke's squad for the Nations League games with Croatia and Portugal.

Here's what some of you said:

Ian: Why is Connor Barron not in the team? Is it because he is a Rangers player and tell me this what is it with Steve Clarke, does he only see through green-tinted glasses?

Ted: I had to Google Andy Irving.

Donald: Ryan Christie is the key man in this squad, he can't play wide or as a 10 any more. He has to play deep with Billy Gilmour. For the next two years if you build a team round those two, all other positions will fall into place whether it's a 4-4-2, 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1. He could captain the team from that role.

Jefcal: Would be a different pool if not for injuries but I do not rate our centre-backs. Grant Hanley used to be okay. Nicky Devlin is as good as any other shout for right-back. Is Ryan Gauld not injured, as he’s been out of his team? Why no Luke McCowan as he's at Celtic now?

Scotty: Delighted for Devlin, he's been a consistent performer for the Dons and works his socks off. He should start ahead of Anthony Ralston.

Paul: Surprised that Ryan Hardie doesn't even make the squad. He's a regular scorer and battle hardened with Plymouth Argyle.

Andrew: Lewis Morgan and Gauld are a waste of time. Both getting called up at 28 years old, playing in the MLS, shows no inventiveness from Steve. I'd rather see Barron and Karamoko Dembele getting called up. Young and hungry players who are going to be there for the future.

Nathan: Considering the injury crisis and the certainty that we will be rock bottom of our group, this is the perfect opportunity for not just Clarke to experiment, but for the players to really prove themselves as useful for World Cup Qualifying.

John: The squad is okay, but why not include Lewis Mayo, who is good every game for Killie?

Gavin: It's as bad a squad as I have seen for a long time but I couldn't have picked a better one. We seem to be in a bad place compared to one or two years ago!

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Stuart Kettlewell insists Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller is unfazed at being overlooked for a Scotland call-up.

The 18-year-old midfielder, who is set to make his 50th Motherwell appearance in Saturday's match with Hibs, has missed out on a place in Steve Clarke's injury-hit squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal.

Instead, Miller is part of the Scotland Under-21 squad for crucial games with against Belgium and Kazakhstan as Scot Gemmill's side chase a place at the Euro Championships.

"I'm absolutely not concerned about that whatsoever," said manager Kettlewell.

"All I'm concerned about is him playing well here and trying to create opportunities for himself.

"I always believe if you're getting that right at your football club then the good things will start to happen for you.

"I can confirm that Lennon's got absolutely no concern about that whatsoever. We're not sitting here feeling sorry if he's not in a national team which has done pretty well over a number of years."

Kettlewell paid tribute to Miller as the talented teenager prepares to reach an appearance milestone two years on from his debut.

"Lennon's made a difference," the Fir Park boss added.

"Every time you've put a big task in front of him, whether it be playing as a deep line midfielder, a more offensive midfield player in training sessions, or playing against top midfielders in this country, at no point has he come up short.

"I don't think you'll always get it right, I don't think you'll always perform to an eight, nine or 10 out of 10. What you have to do is show the traits that you're capable of and that's all I ever look for.

"That is definitively a message to everybody at our football club, that these window of opportunities come.

"Lennon gets a chance to play his 50th game this weekend for the first team because he's shown so much quality and so much composure in big moments.

"When you're tested physically, when you're tested mentally and when you're tested tactically and he's a guy that stood up to all of those challenges."

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Steve Clarke praised Austin MacPhee who has stepped down as Scotland's set-piece coach due to family reasons.

The Aston Villa set-piece specialist is going to spend more time with his ill father and has left his national team role after three years to do so.

"First of all, it's a big blow for us that Austin's stepped aside," said Clarke.

"But it's a bigger blow for Austin and his family obviously. He's got difficult times ahead and we certainly wish them well, especially his father who's going to have a tough time. Hopefully that works out for them.

"Austin was great for me, he took a lot of workload away with the set-plays as well as being a proficient coach, he reads the game well.

"We always have good conversations and he's a Scotland fan. It was great to have his enthusiasm in and around the camp. He felt every defeat badly and he felt every win fantastically, so he's a big miss for us.

"Short-term, it's difficult to bring in a like-minded replacement. We'll utilise the coaches that I've got. I'm going to use another analyst, a set-piece analyst. We'll see what we can come up with this camp and assess the situation as we go along."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Despite the lengthy list of injury absentees, Scotland head coach Steve Clarke remains confident the tactical tweaks he made last month can be added to on the training pitch.

Scotland switched to a back four and looked more threatening despite defeats by Poland and Portugal, than they did at Euro 2024.

With more time on the training pitch before the games against Croatia and Portugal, the Scotland boss believes they can make further improvements.

"I like the balance of the squad. It gives us options. We had a little bit of time to work last time," Clarke said.

"The performances were ok, the results obviously not. But we've got a base to work on from there.

"We've got a little bit more time on the training pitch with a Saturday game. Hopefully we can improve one or two things that help us get two positive results.

"You hopefully build layer on layer every time you get together as you're trying to change or tweak the system.

"Credit to my two coaches John Carver and Alan Irvine who worked with the lads on the short training time we got on the pitch the last time.

"Hopefully we can put a few more layers on what we're trying to do. To give the lads confidence they can play different systems and hurt the opposition."

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Nicky Devlin has played every league minute at right-back for Aberdeen as they have won their first 12 games in all competitions this season.

The 30-year-old joined from Livingston last year and gets his chance to impress with Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson on the sidelines and Max Johnston left out.

It's been a more difficult start to the season for Preston's Liam Lindsay. The Championship side have shipped 12 goals in their first seven games and sit 22nd.

The Glasgow-born defender started his career at Partick Thistle, before spells with Barnsley and Stoke City.

"It's a chance for Nicky and Liam," Steve Clarke said.

"Both are experienced, dependable defenders who have had good club careers without the international recognition they can hopefully get in the upcoming games."

Andy Irving, meanwhile, came through the Hearts academy before moving to the relatively-unknown German side Turkgucu Munchen when his contract expired.

He then moved to SK Austria Klagenfurt, and impressed sufficiently in the Austrian top flight for West Ham to take a chance on him in January 2023.

After spending six months back in Klagenfurt on loan, the left-footed playmaker has made two Premier League appearances this season under Julien Lopetegui.

A Scotland debut would cap a rapid rise for the 24-year-old, who less than three years ago was playing in the German third division.

"He surprised everybody with the choices he made to move abroad and in a roundabout way he's ended up in the Premier League," Clarke added.

"It's important people recognise there are different ways to get to the top."