Scotland shock as Steve Clarke loses another member of his coaching staff

AUSTIN MacPHEE has quit Scotland’s backroom team ahead of next month’s Nations League double-header.

The Aston Villa set-piece coach has been a key man for gaffer Steve Clarke and helped Scotland reach Euro 2024 in the summer.

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But he won’t link up with the squad for the October clashes with Croatia and Portugal.

SunSport understands former Hearts coach MacPhee has stepped down due to family reasons, with his father currently battling illness.

His increased commitments under Unai Emery at Villa, including eight Champions League games, also played a part in MacPhee’s decision.

Clarke, who drafted in Alan Irvine as a replacement for James Morrison last month, is considering options to take over from MacPhee.

But it’s believed the gaffer, who names his squad at Hampden on Tuesday, won’t have anyone in for this camp.

He will be supported by assistant John Carver and coach Irvine for the trip to Croatia, and the crucial Hampden clash with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.

MacPhee’s exit will be a blow to Clarke, who regularly credited him for improving Scotland’s set-pieces at both ends of the pitch.

The 44-year-old, who has also worked with the Northern Ireland national team, has had a wide-ranging coaching career.

He worked with Cowdenbeath and St Mirren before moving to Hearts. He also had a spell at Danish club Midtjylland, before switching to Villa and landing the Scotland role.

Clarke’s side lost their first two games on their debut in the top flight of the Nations League, and will be desperate for points next month.

He is on a poor run of just one win in 14 games — against minnows Gibraltar — following a miserable Euro finals campaign, and those losses earlier this month.

Clarke will again miss the likes of Aaron Hickey and Lewis Ferguson, while there are fresh doubts over John McGinn and Scott McKenna for the double headers.

Meanwhile Ben Doak, who made his international debut in the last international window has hit another career milestone by hitting his first goal in senior football.

The 18-year-old Liverpool winger, on loan at Middlesbrough, scored against Stoke City in what was also his first start for Michael Carrick‘s Championship side.

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