STEVE CLARKE last night lifted the lid on the emotional conversations he had to hold with both Craig Gordon and John Souttar after the shattered pair were left out of his final Scotland squad for Euro 2024.
Hearts veteran Gordon earned his 75th cap in the final 20 minutes of a 2-2 draw with Finland, earning a rousing ovation from the Tartan Army after opting to play despite learning hours earlier of his omission from the 26-man squad flying to Germany tomorrow.
Required to submit his final list of names to UEFA by midnight last night, Clarke also conducted a difficult conversation with Rangers defender Souttar.
Scotland had claimed a two-goal lead in the final Hampden warm-up game through an Arttu Hoskonen own goal and Lawrence Shankland’s 33rd strike of the season. However, Gordon’s first act was to pick the ball out of the net with 18 minutes to play.
Hopes of a fairytale farewell for the 41-year-old keeper ended when he then conceded the penalty which gifted Finland an equaliser for Oliver Antman in the 85th minute.
‘It was a really tough decision to leave Craig out,’ said Clarke. ‘But over the period of time he’s been back, he hadn’t become the No 1 at Hearts again. He’d played only seven games since December 2022 and it’s a long time.
Clarke consoles Gordon after the Hampden draw, having earlier ended his Euro 2024 dream
Gordon endured a night to forget as his rash attempt to punch the ball led to the penalty award
Rangers defender Souttar was the other player to be dropped from Clarke’s preliminary squad
‘And the dynamic of the squad, three goalkeepers (we have had) together.
‘It was a tough conversation, with Craig. Emotional, to be honest. But it’s a mark of the man that he’s here tonight.
‘I understand if he didn’t want to. But I wanted to give him the 75th cap. Within one hour of telling him the news, he was down having dinner with the lads, in the meetings.
‘At the end of the game, we gave him a little award signed by all the lads, 75 on the back of his jersey. I said I know Craig will throw this back in my face – that 76, 77, 80 is coming. That’s what Craig’s like.’
Naming seven central defenders in his provisional squad of 28, Souttar was the unlucky second player to miss out.
‘Also emotional,’ added the manager. ‘It’s really difficult for people who haven’t been with us to know how difficult it is to sit down with people who have always given their best for their country when I’ve selected them. They’ve got so close to the margin.’
Gordon mulls over the late penalty award with Scotland goalkeeper coach Chris Woods
Gordon will end his career minus a major finals appearance, having been unused at Euro 2020
Clarke decided against risking midfielder Scott McTominay, who last played in Manchester United’s FA Cup Final victory. Striker Che Adams was also wrapped in cotton wool.
Scotland last won a friendly on home soil in March 2016 and head to Germany with one win from their last nine games; a laboured 2-0 win over Gibraltar on Monday.
Now winless in four consecutive games at Hampden, that’s the longest run without a home victory since November 2008.
Nevertheless, Clarke said: ‘I’m delighted, the team’s in a good place.
‘We know what we have in our group. The run of games, the difficult friendlies were picked so players understand how difficult it is against top teams and how good they’re going to be at this tournament.
‘When you get ahead, you start thinking about Sunday, travelling to Germany. Look at the England result, these games are difficult.’
Kieran Tierney’s face says it all as the Scotland defender reflects on one that got away
Debutant striker Tommy Conway was denied his first Scotland goal in the third minute of added time by a magnificent save by Viljami Sinisalo.
‘He should’ve scored,’ said Clarke. ‘But he showed he gets into goalscoring positions.
‘He told me he’s saving goals for Germany so that’s fine.
‘Lewis (Morgan) came in off a long flight from America on Thursday and he looked good, he looked lively when he came on. They’re good additions to the squad.
‘When you lose players you’ve selected initially, you’re always thinking about what you can do to make the squad better and I think both boys have come in and did OK for us.’
Meanwhile, Conway spoke of his family pride after making his debut from the bench. The Taunton-born Bristol City striker, called into the squad after injuries to Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak, is eligible for the Scots through his late grandfather.
‘It’s surreal, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, I probably won’t sleep tonight,’ said Conway. ‘I know my grandad will be looking down proud and I had my family here as well.
Tommy Conway goes close with a late header but the striker still enjoyed a night to remember
‘Overall it’s a really proud day. I don’t think there is anything better in football than making your family proud and playing on the international stage for your country is the pinnacle.
‘So to do that and make my debut, it’s a really proud day all round.’
Conway came close to a debut goal when a late effort saw him force a fine save from substitute Finnish keeper Sinisalo.
He added: ‘I thought it was in for a split second, I have hit the goalie and a couple of the lads were telling me I should have scored.
‘I said to them I’m saving them for next week! That’s the dream. I’ll be ready when called upon and hopefully I’ll put myself in the best place possible to get on the scoresheet.’
Finnish coach Kanerva offers Clarke encouragement ahead of Scotland’s jaunt to Germany
Finland coach Markku Kanerva tipped the Scots to hold their own in a group featuring hosts Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.
‘They have a very tight group, with Germany as the home nation probably the favourites to win the group. Hungary and Switzerland are tough.
‘But Scotland have shown they can compete against top teams like Spain. I believe they have good chances in the group.
‘We knew that we were up against at tough opponent. Scotland showed their strengths. They’re very strong in duels.
‘I’m very proud of my players. They showed great mentality to come back from 2-0 down.’
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