Steve Clarke insists Scotland have the guts to go for glory against Ukraine despite a sickness bug ravaging his injury-hit squad.
The national boss reckons he’s already been robbed of 16 players for tonight’s Nations League Group B1 showdown – and several others have been laid low by a virus including both his main strikers Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes.
Stuart Armstrong, Greg Taylor, Ryan Fraser and several backroom staff have all been hit and Clarke is hoping they can recover in time – and is praying no more of his men are sunk. Adams and Taylor took part in some of yesterday’s training session and all were on the plane bound for Poland last night. But Clarke admitted his preparations have gone to pot as he looks to avoid defeat and send the Scots to the top tier of the Nations League and bag a guaranteed play-off place for he Euros as well as a spot as second seeds for the qualification campaign.
Andy Robertson , Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson and Scott McKenna are all on the crocked list while Scott McTominay is banned – but Aaron Hickey has provided a fitness boost. Clarke said: “It’s been different. We’ve obviously picked up a lot of injuries. I was totting up the injuries the other day and from my expanded pool of players, I’m missing something like 16 players. That’s quite a lot.
“As always in this kind of situation, you tend to find it’s the one position that’s targeted and it’s one very general position – and that’s in defence. We’ve lost a lot of defenders and a few forwards as well.
“But in this situation I always say it’s not about the ones who have dropped out, it’s about the ones who are here and can step in. It’s a great chance for them to show everybody what they’re all about.
“We’re not short of issues. But we’re also not short of determination to go there and finish the job.”
The sickness bug was the last thing Clarke needed with so many stars already on the treatment table. He said: “Ryan Fraser actually had it, he was up sick during the night before the Ireland game. We’ve had a few more feeling a little bit under the weather.
“But Lyndon Dykes and Stuart Armstrong didn’t train because they’d been sick quite late in the night. We gave them a bit of time to recover. One or two of the staff members haven’t been feeling too great so there seems to be a little bit of a virus in the camp.
“We’ve got to manage and monitor the situation. If it goes the same way as it did for Ryan it’s less than 24 hours and then they’re okay again. So fingers crossed nobody else picks it up.”
Hitman Adams added: “This match is one of those ones where we have to get through it and put in a massive performance. I am tough, I can play. If it was any worse then maybe I couldn’t but I’m ready to go.”
Clarke last week sent for St Mirren’s Declan Gallagher and he added Hearts duo Barrie McKay and Stephen Kingsley to the travelling party. He said: “It seems a bit callous and cold from me but I have to move on to the next player who is available and trying to prepare as best possible for the game coming up. I have got young Ryan Porteous ready too and desperate to make an appearance.
“So we are well covered. Hickey trained and it seems like we made the right decision in taking him off the other night. We also have Tony Ralston and Josh Doig who has looked good in training. It’s now down to those boys to step forward and make their mark.”
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