Scotland: Steve Clarke hopes for ‘big reaction’ in Nations League opener

Steve Clarke is expecting “a big reaction” from Scotland in their Nations League opener against Poland on Thursday and says his squad has a “nice freshness” about it.

The head coach hinted before the disappointing Euro 2024 finals that this campaign would have a slightly new look to it, but he admits it’s a more drastic change now given the number of injuries and call-offs he’s had to contend with.

Earlier this week, Clarke lost Che Adams – which he has confirmed was to injury – as well as Celtic pair Greg Taylor and James Forrest and goalkeeper Robby McCrorie.

“I didn’t envisage so many injury issues, so many call-offs but that’s given us a freshness that’s maybe more than it would’ve been had I had everybody fit and available, but it’s still a nice freshness,” Clarke said as he looked ahead to hosting Poland at Hampden.

“The young boys that have come into the squad, they’ve brought that enthusiasm, that breath of fresh air that galvanises and gives the senior players that little bit more life.

“For the players that have been playing at the start of the season for their club, they’ve got a little bit of freshness about them. For me it’s been a long summer and I look forward to the game to see what we get from the players, which I’m sure will be a big reaction.

“It’s been a good couple of days, but we want to make it better.”

Thursday’s League A opener is Scotland’s first outing since defeat to Hungary in Germany ended their hopes of progressing from the group stages for the first time.

And while the target is still “slowly finding a formula to break the glass ceiling” Clarke’s full focus is on “evolving” this squad.

“It’s important that we respect the core group who have managed to qualify for back-to-back European tournaments, but within that core group, you have to try and add a little bit more, and hopefully we add something that makes us better,” he added.

“It’s not going to happen overnight, it’s not going to happen across the two games we are going to play now.

“But I am looking at this campaign in the Nations League and thinking, ‘This is the chance to try and evolve the group’ so 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.

“It’s evolution, not revolution.”