Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell has defended the decision to hand Scotland boss Steve Clarke a new contract following the dismal start to World Cup qualifying this week.
Clarke’s side were comprehensively beaten by Denmark in Copenhagen in midweek as the Tartan Army looked to take their first step towards qualification for their first World Cup since 1998.
With plenty of optimism ahead of the group, fans were left gutted as the talented Scotland side put in a toothless performance, leaving many wondering why Clarke was handed a new contract by the SFA.
Maxwell leapt to the defence of Clarke, claiming he was “universally accepted” when he was appointed (he wasn’t) and pointing to Scotland’s qualification for Euro 2020 through the back door as proof of the strides made under him – despite much of the legwork for Scotland’s qualification being down to the success of Alex McLeish’s side in the Nations League.
“It’s amazing how this works because when we appointed Steve he was the first Scotland manager I can remember where you didn’t really have anybody saying, ‘Why have they done that?’. He was universally accepted as the right guy at the right time. He came in and was told get us to the Euros. He then gets us to the Euros,” Maxwell said [Scottish Sun].
“We think he’s doing a really good job. He’s a got a really good team spirit going and players who really want to be part of the national team.
“We look at that and on balance we say, ‘Well let’s extend his contract’. I am absolutely confident he is the right guy to take us forward.
“We had no hesitation, in terms of the board, in extending his contract.
“We appointed him, everyone was happy, he did what we asked him to do and then there is criticism of, ‘Why did you extend his contract?’.
“I think that’s just the nature of the manager’s role, where you’re either getting a new deal or you’re getting the sack. There is nothing in between.
“Qatar qualification was always going to be difficult because we’re a pot three side.
“We have a fair bit to go and then we have a Euro campaign.
“You look at a bit of continuity, things settling down. Steve has settled into the role and he understands it a lot more than he did when he first took over.
“With the best will in the world, he is still bedding in as an international manager.
“Because of Covid, he had the best part of a year when he didn’t see the players or have any games.
“There is definitely more to come from the squad.”
Where Maxwell has it right, is that there is more to come from this squad.
With the likes of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson all regularly involved for their clubs in the Premier League, there is plenty of talent at Clarke’s disposal.
The performance in Denmark was nowhere near good enough and, while Clarke had some late call-offs to contend with, there needs to be improvements quickly.
If things don’t change and Scotland’s World Cup bid is over before it even gets started, Maxwell will need to be a lot more convincing in his defence of the national team boss.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
