Even shut proximity to a worldwide celebrity can't divert Scotland's consideration from their World Cup dream. Or is it a teenage one? Katy Perry shared a metropolis centre resort with Steve Clarke and his squad this week because the singer's Lifetimes Tour stopped off in Glasgow. Clarke didn't fairly go so far as saying, “Katy who?” however he was nonplussed by his squad rubbing shoulders with a bestselling artist.
“Was she?” mentioned Clarke when requested about Perry's whereabouts. “I didn't know she was there. I've heard the identify and I'm positive if you happen to performed me a few her songs I'd say: ‘I recognise that one.' However I couldn't identify you one among her songs. That's no disrespect to Katy however I'm from a unique technology.” Pressed on whether or not he would even recognise Perry, Clarke – by now laughing – added: “Eh, no. And he or she wouldn't recognise me.” This very a lot appears like two worlds that ought to by no means collide.
Clarke was understandably extra severe on the problem prone to arrive from Greece on Thursday as Scotland kick off an important double-header. Belarus additionally go to Hampden Park on Sunday, as Scotland look to construct on the constructive World Cup-qualifying opening offered by 4 factors out of an out there six.
The backdrop is a curious one. Rangers' sacking of Russell Martin, with Steven Gerrard to carry talks over a return to Ibrox, and off-field rumblings at Celtic imply the nationwide staff's matches have fairly crept up on even seasoned observers. Even Hearts' high-flying home begin and woes at Aberdeen have felt extra prevalent in Scottish soccer discourse. “I do look by means of the headlines generally and it's been unusual within the buildup to such a giant sport that the nationwide staff has not been the principle headline,” mentioned Clarke. “However pay attention, that's the character of soccer in Scotland.
“The gamers perceive that each sport in a qualification course of is necessary, to get as many factors as you'll be able to. We managed to choose up 4 factors within the two away video games final month and we hope to choose up as many as we will this month and that can put us in a very good place going into November. The gamers perceive what they should do.”
The Greece conflict will imply Clarke matches the late Craig Brown's document of 71 video games accountable for his nation. Considerably sometimes, the 62-year-old has no need to deal with private landmarks. “I haven't actually considered it, I've to be sincere,” mentioned Clarke. “Having had a half-decent profession as a participant and a half-decent profession thus far as a supervisor and a head coach … I don't assume I'm completed but. Let me end after which look again and I'll let you know precisely how I really feel about it.
“I've loved it. While you take the job you don't assume you're going to be in for six and a bit years with so many video games underneath your belt. I've been fortunate sufficient to work with a extremely good, constant squad of gamers who've finished ever so nicely for me. All my coaches have helped me and to get to this stage is been very nice. However in the mean time my focus is just on qualifying for the World Cup subsequent yr.”
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Greece landed in Scotland with confidence, having swaggered to a 3-0 Nations League win at Hampden Park in March. “The gamers didn't fairly hit the heights that they'd earlier than,” mentioned Clarke of that wounding encounter. “So if this can be a probability to make amends, hopefully that's what we do.”
