‘Evolution not revolution’ for Scotland as Clarke aims for World Cup

Steve Clarke insists it is a case of “evolution and not revolution” for Scotland as he prepares to open the Nations League campaign.

The national team host Poland at Hampden on Thursday before travelling to take on Portugal on Sunday in the first games since the disappointment of Euro 2024.

The manager now has one eye on the next World Cup as he aims to reach the tournament being held across North America in 2026.

Clarke will be without first choice forward Che Adams as well as Celtic duo James Forrest and Greg Taylor for the double header but he sees it as a chance to introduce some freshness into the squad.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, he said: “All the games are important, we have touched on the summer – it was disappointing, but we have to move on.

“This is our first game, for the players that have been playing for their clubs at the start of the season they have a bit of freshness about them.

“It’s been a long summer, but we are looking forward to the game to see what we get from the players, and I’m sure it will be a big reaction.

“It’s an evolution, not a revolution, we have a significant number of injuries that probably impacted my squad a little bit. It means I’ve had to dip into the under-21 squad, probably too many times if I’m being honest, because the under-21s also have a couple of very important fixtures coming up.

“That brings its own freshness, and I’ve mentioned it before. We respect the core group that have managed to qualify for back-to-back European Championships, but then within that core group you have to try and add a little bit more.

“But within that core group you have to try and add a little bit more and hopefully we can add something that makes us better, that’s not going to happen overnight.

“I am looking at this Nations League campaign and thinking this is a chance to try and evolve the group so that when we do get to the World Cup qualifiers we are in a better shape, ready to go again and ready to qualify for our third tournament out of four.”