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Steve Clarke keen on Scotland finishing Euro 2024 qualification with more points
Steve Clarke keen on Scotland finishing Euro 2024 qualification with more points
Scotland manager Steve Clarke is focused on finishing their Euro 2024 qualification campaign on a high after sealing their place in Germany amid a hat-trick of defeats. A 2-0 loss in Spain was sandwiched by friendly defeats against England and France, but five wins from their opening five games in Group A proved enough for a second successive qualification for the European Championship finals after the Spaniards won in Norway. With a five-month international hiatus to follow, Clarke is eager to ensure Scotland come away from their final competitive matches with points against Georgia and Norway before next summer’s tournament in Germany. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s clash in Tbilisi, Clarke said: “The idea with the friendly matches against England and France was to test ourselves against the best and see where we measure up. “Obviously with the results we had, we still have a bit of work to do. We will try to stay humble, respect our opponents and just try to improve all the time. “Listen, we want to get back to winning ways. It’s not very often in the reign that I have had, apart from the early stages, that we have had consecutive defeats like we have had recently. “It would be nice to think in the remaining two games we can pick up more points. “I have always said we want to get as high a points tally as possible and (we have) two more games to try and do that.” Scotland have lost their previous two games in Georgia, defeats which ultimately prevented them from qualifying for Euro 2008 and 2016. Clarke’s side have shown the ability to break such negative runs, for instance securing the first play-off success and ending a 23-year wait for a major tournament appearance. “Listen, in sport what’s past is past, there is nothing we can do to affect that,” Clarke said of the history in Tbilisi. “All we can do is affect the future, the next game we play. “We have always tried to improve results no matter who we are playing against.” Georgia lost 7-1 at home to Spain in September but they beat Cyprus 4-0 in their most recent qualifier and are assured of a Euro 2024 play-off place thanks to a Nations League campaign which included big wins in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Clarke said: “When you go away from home against a team like Georgia, it’s going to be a difficult environment, a difficult game for us, because they are a very good side. “The one game they lost heavily was against Spain and that’s a little bit of an anomaly in recent games, because all their games have been very competitive. And we expect that on Thursday night.” Clarke is without the likes of Angus Gunn, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey and Che Adams, but he hopes players such as Josh Doig and Lawrence Shankland can seize the opportunity that injury list presents. “Over the course of my tenure I have always tried to look a little bit deeper,” he said. “There will be some squads like this one where we have a number of players missing. But I always say it’s a chance for someone else. “If everyone else can do better it makes my selection more difficult going into next year. The selection will be difficult. I have to find the right 23 for next summer. “For now, some boys are in the squad with the chance to make a big impression, not just on me but the rest of my staff and the rest of the country. Let’s see how they perform in the game.” Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark and Motherwell captain Liam Kelly are vying for competitive debuts after both played 45 minutes against France to win their first caps. Clarke, who also has Rangers reserve Robby McCrorie in his squad, was not giving anything away on his stand-in choice. Speaking from Scotland’s training camp in Antalya, Turkey, he said: “The three goalkeepers have trained very well, as they always do, and between now and kick-off I will obviously have to choose one.” Read More Francis Ngannou ranked as top-10 heavyweight by WBC after impressive debut Niall Huggins excited to make Wales bow following ‘horrendous’ period Virat Kohli hits record century as India post huge score in semi-final Jon Rahm says it is ‘mainly my fault’ that he cannot catch Rory McIlroy in Dubai Man arrested over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson bailed by police Ex-Chelsea keeper Petr Cech joins Belfast Giants as ‘temporary emergency cover’
2023-11-15 23:27
Kenny Pickett making major change to help prevent concussions
Kenny Pickett making major change to help prevent concussions
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett is taking extra precautions to protect his head after suffering multiple concussions last season.Kenny Pickett gave the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fanbase plenty to be excited about during his rookie season. The No. 20 overall pick from the 2022 NFL Draft ...
2023-07-08 09:54
Quarterback Allar expected to play when No. 11 Penn State faces Michigan State
Quarterback Allar expected to play when No. 11 Penn State faces Michigan State
Quarterback Drew Allar is expected to be ready and backup Beau Pribula will be part of the game plan Friday when No. 11 Penn State visits Michigan State in the regular-season finale at Ford Field in Detroit
2023-11-22 19:23
Referee Eric Lewis not selected to work NBA Finals while league looks into tweets
Referee Eric Lewis not selected to work NBA Finals while league looks into tweets
Eric Lewis was not selected as one of the 12 referees who will work the NBA Finals, while the league continues to investigate whether he used a Twitter account to defend himself and other referees from online complaints
2023-06-01 20:51
Kennedy wins in his major league return and De La Cruz has 4 hits as the Reds beat the Nats 8-4
Kennedy wins in his major league return and De La Cruz has 4 hits as the Reds beat the Nats 8-4
Brett Kennedy won in his return to the majors as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 8-4 thanks to a big offensive showing
2023-07-05 02:57
British Open key hole for 2nd round was the 18th
British Open key hole for 2nd round was the 18th
The key hole from the second round of the British Open was the 18th hole, marked by eagles and one timely birdie by Scottie Scheffler
2023-07-22 06:21
Hilton Grand Vacations to Host Hospitality Suite at the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX
Hilton Grand Vacations to Host Hospitality Suite at the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--
2023-06-06 22:20
All Blacks lock Barrett avoids Rugby World Cup ban
All Blacks lock Barrett avoids Rugby World Cup ban
New Zealand lock Scott Barrett has avoided a ban after being shown a red card in last weekend's record loss to South Africa...
2023-08-29 00:18
Steven Kwan's sacrifice fly caps a two-run 11th inning for the Guardians in 7-6 win against the Rays
Steven Kwan's sacrifice fly caps a two-run 11th inning for the Guardians in 7-6 win against the Rays
Steven Kwan’s sacrifice fly brought home Bo Naylor after Jose Tena tied the score with a single in the 11th inning to lift the Cleveland Guardians to a 7-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays
2023-09-03 10:26
Twins vs. Astros prediction and odds for Memorial Day (Sonny Gray will continue dominance)
Twins vs. Astros prediction and odds for Memorial Day (Sonny Gray will continue dominance)
The Minnesota Twins are sitting at just 27-26, but that's good enough to lead the lowly AL Central, holding a one game lead on the Detroit Tigers.Now, they'll take on the Houston Astros in a three-game series that will begin on Memorial Day.The Astros are surprisingly not leading t...
2023-05-30 00:50
Three talking points from the Premier League's opening weekend
Three talking points from the Premier League's opening weekend
Manchester City showed why they remain the team to beat on the Premier League's return this weekend as the English champions cruised to...
2023-08-14 02:54
Packers: Jordan Love got the best possible advice from Peyton Manning
Packers: Jordan Love got the best possible advice from Peyton Manning
Packers quarterback Jordan Love has already gotten plenty of advice under former mentor Aaron Rodgers. One more legend whispering into Love's ear can't hurt.As Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love gears up for his first season as the franchise's starter, Matt LaFleur and the ...
2023-08-02 06:45