image source, Getty Images
- author, george o’neil
- role, BBC Sport Scotland
Steve Clarke must be staring down his fingers from behind the sofa at every game involving Scotland players by now.
Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson underwent knee surgery last week, while Everton right-back Nathan Patterson and Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong will both miss the remainder of the club season.
Patterson suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s game against Chelsea and required surgery, leaving his availability for this summer’s Euro 2024 in doubt.
Brentford full-back Aaron Hickey has not played since October, so the right side of the defense looks very thin. This is the main concern and could be in full crisis mode.
There was at least some good news regarding Armstrong on Monday, with Southampton manager Russell Martin saying his thigh injury was not as serious as initially feared and that he had a “great chance” of joining the squad. Stated.
Hickey is undoubtedly Clarke’s first choice as Scotland’s right wing-back, but he has not played for seven months, having sustained a hamstring injury at Stamford Bridge.
Brentford’s director of player development Stephen Pressley said Hickey was making “good progress” and was “working really hard” to recover in time for the Euros.
But even if he were healthy, getting the 21-year-old straight back into the squad for the tournament opener against hosts Germany would be a big ask.
Who else could Clark turn to?
Anthony Ralston regularly features for Scotland but is not Celtic’s first choice, with Bristol City’s Ross McCrory (ex-Aberdeen) also recently called up.
Sturm Graz’s Max Johnston has been settling into life in Austria for quite some time since leaving Motherwell, and was called up to the first-team squad from the under-21s for last year’s friendly against France.
Another option for Clarke could be to try and tempt someone like Tino Libramento, who has been outstanding for Newcastle United this season, to declare for Scotland.
The 21-year-old has earned England caps at youth level but has qualified for Scotland through his mother.
Central midfielder Archie Gray, who is playing at right-back this season, is a superstar on the rise and clearly has Scottish links, with his father Andy, grandfather Frank and great-uncle Eddie all playing full internationals. be.
However, he was called up to the England Under-21 squad in his final international slot and says it is his “dream” to play for the country of his birth.
As for the vaulter, what about Danny Armstrong, who has played as a right wing-back for Kilmarnock for the majority of the season and has a huge track record in terms of assists? Lewis Mayo has also played there for Killie this season and would be a more defensive option.
Midfield continues to be an area of strength
There are fewer headaches for Clark, at least in other areas of the team.
Craig Gordon, Xander Clarke and Angus Gunn are likely to be the only goalkeepers for Germany, with Motherwell’s Liam Kelly likely to be absent.
Clarke’s batting options also appear to be set, with Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland providing different qualities up front.
Kevin Nisbet’s 2024 was marred by injury but he is back on the Millwall bench and if he can find goal in the coming weeks it will give Clarke something to think about.
Jacob Brown is a regular in Clarke’s side, but could be a maverick when the time comes, unless perhaps the Euro 2024 squad is increased from 23 to 26 players.
There are plenty of options in defence, apart from the right wing-back, but there is a good chance that two of Clarke’s favorite players are causing sleepless nights for the manager.
Scott McKenna and Grant Hanley both missed the defeats against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland in March, and time is running out for them.
Hanley is due to return to training with Norwich this week, while McKenna has at least featured in Copenhagen since the friendly.
Leeds United’s Liam Cooper, Al Etifaq’s Jack Hendry, Watford’s Ryan Porteous and Rangers’ John Souter, as well as the versatile Kieran Tierney, mean Clarke believes McKenna and Hanley would be a perfect fit. Even if he doesn’t, he doesn’t feel any pressure on the members.
Tierney and captain Andy Robertson are at left-back, with Celtic’s Greg Taylor likely to join the squad.
An area Clarke has always been able to rely on during his tenure is the center of midfield, which remains Scotland’s strongest suit despite question marks over Ferguson and Armstrong.
Even if these two are left out, the likes of Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Scott McTominay and Kenny McLean could still be called up.
Ryan Christie hovers between there and up front, and could strengthen his role if Clarke were to add a surprise to the team.
Will Newcastle’s Elliott Anderson finally decide to commit to Scotland with the lure of the European Championship just around the corner? Or what about team-mate Harvey Barnes, who is also eligible for the Scottish national team? how about that?
Clarke may enjoy having them as options, but he will enjoy it even more that his key players will be injury-free from now until June, and that Hickey and Patterson will heal quickly. .
