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steve clark believe in scotland The performance in their 2–1 World Cup qualifying win became a “head-scratcher” belarus At Hampden Park.
It was a momentous night for Clarke as he took charge of the national team for a record-breaking 72nd time and it was all looking positive for the striker. che adams A goal after 15 minutes but the home team failed to kick.
A goal from Carlos Alos’ side was disallowed due to a mistake by the Scotland midfielder in the second half Scott McTominay In the build-up before napoli Star finished from 10 yards in the 84th minute but belarus Substitute Hleb Kuchko’s strike at the end of extra time caused further consternation among the disaffected Tartan army and some boos were heard at full time.
Still, home wins Greece And that means Belarus in the October double-header Scots They have a 10 out of 12 when they prepare to travel Greece and host denmark To conclude the rapid-fire qualification campaign next month.
However, Clarke said: “I’m really disappointed – really, really disappointed. This is probably as disappointed as I’ve been in the whole 72 games. We just didn’t come through.
“But before I go down that path, and you start asking me questions about why I feel the way I do, it’s also important to point out that performance doesn’t give you merit. And there was definitely no performance tonight.
“But we got three points and that’s six points from the double-header, so we’re really happy about that, as will anyone with a Scottish connection.
“But the performance was quite down. It’s a head-scratcher. But I’ll go, I’ll watch, and we’ll analyze it. We’ll look at what we have to do better and how we can be more cohesive as a team without the ball. And how we have to be better as a team when we have the ball.
“I’ve told them that in the dressing room, so they know what my feelings are. But I have a lot of confidence in them and I trust them completely. And I know next month they’ll be a different animal.”
Asked whether nerves played a role, the former Reading, west brom And the Kilmarnock boss said: “They can’t be nervous. Why would they be nervous? Most of them have played big games before.
“I don’t think you can blame nerves. If it’s nerves, I guess I’ll have to talk to the doctor and see if he can find some pills to give me.”
Despite having three more points towards the 2026 finals in North America next summer, the Tartan Army expressed their disappointment at the end of the game.
“It seems to be the way of the modern game. Everything happens instantly now. The first minute of the game, the 10th minute of the game, the 20th minute, everyone has an opinion,” Clarke said.
“Everyone has different opinions depending on how the game progresses.
“If the fans were disappointed with tonight’s performance, they should take some solace from the fact that the head coach was disappointed as well.”