Scotland v Poland: New cycle begins but Steve Clarke under pressure

Steve Clarke has insisted that Scotland fans would be wrong to worry about a culture of apathy setting in among the players after the crushing disappointment of Euro 2024.

Clarke’s five-year reign has been refreshingly free from the multiple squad withdrawals which undermined some of his predecessors, but there have been a number of losses ahead of the Nations League campaign which begins at home to Poland this evening.

On the back of Callum McGregor announcing his international retirement aged only 31, Ché Adams and Celtic pair James Forrest and Greg Taylor pulled out of the imminent double-header against the Poles and Portugal. Clarke moved to downplay reports which originated in Italy that Adams was fit and available but chose to pull out in order