Clarke admits difficult decisions as Celtic stars look forward to Czech opener | OneFootball

Steve Clarke has admitted that he has had to make some tough decisions ahead of Scotland’s Euro 2020 opener against The Czech Republic at Hampden tomorrow afternoon. The Scotland boss knows that there are a number of players vying for places on the starting XI, including some Celtic stars.

As reported by The Record, Clarke said that he is paid to make the big calls but that picking the team was difficult for him due to the form of players in the warm-up fixtures.

“As you would expect, it’s a difficult selection process – 26 players all doing their best in training, a really high level of training.

“A lot of them have done really well for me before in international games. Difficult decisions, but I am paid to make them.”

Callum McGregor is normally one of the first names on Clarke’s teamsheets with the versatile central midfielder impressing alongside John McGinn. The Celtic star, who will look to become captain with Scott Brown having moved on, has struggled by his own impecable standards and some have called for breakthrough talent Billy Gilmour to earn a start ahead of him. However, McGregor’s experience should see him earn a place in the midfield but he will know himself that he needs to get himself back playing at his usual best as the new crop of youngsters in and around the national team are eyeing a breakthrough of their own.

Ryan Christie is another name that will be hoping for a start. The 26-year-old scored the goal that put Scotland ahead in Belgrade but the emergence of Che Adams has given the manager a headache in terms of who will play as the second striker to Lyndon Dykes in attack. Clarke has always seemed to go with players that he trusts, which may stand both Christie and McGregor in good stead as the Scots look to bookmark their 23-year absence from a major tournament with a win.

Jack Hendry will be hoping to start. The three man defence suits him as well as the turn of pace that he has, meaning that he is better equipped than Liam Cooper or Grant Hanley to play in that role as a right centre-back. Hendry’s only worry is that Clarke decides to add in another midfielder with Scott McTominay dropping in to play as a central defender, as he did in the play-off finals. The player looks set to depart Celtic in the summer but the club are yet to announce this.

James Forrest may see himself having an outside chance of playing, perhaps in the right-wing back role with Stephen O’Donnell and Nathan Paterson also vying for a place. The winger struggled with injuries last season but will realish the opportunity to make an impact and show incoming Celtic boss what he can do.

There has been a lot of clamour to have Billy Gilmour in the starting XI, but one player that could definitely male an impact is David Turnbull. Turnbull was the PFA Scotland Young POTY as well as both Celtic’s POTY and YPOTY. He showed in the friendly against the Dutch that he is has the talent to compete on the International stage.

Greg Taylor is unlikely to feature too heavily in the tournament, such is the quality that Scotland have at left-back with Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney. He will be there as an option from the bench and Clarke will know that he can trust the 23-year-old if he is called upon.