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Huge Hotline humble pie served up to Steve Clarke critics but Scotland gaffer's son gets summer reminder after blast
Hold onto your Glengarry and Tam O’Shanter bunnets - Scotland are back!
What a difference a week makes as two wins against Croatia and Poland secured Steve Clarke’s side a Nations League top tier stay of execution that five days looked about as likely as a Tartan Army foot soldier dressed in chainmail and draped in a St George’s Cross. When Andy Robertson headed John Souttar’s brilliant ball into the Polish net in injury time in Warsaw it not only secured a play-off to save our League A status but more importantly it truly got supporters believing again.
And Sam Morton, Edinburgh, said: “Well done Steve Clarke and Scotland. Three narrow defeats followed by seven points from nine in a top tier group is an impressive turnaround following an underwhelming Euros. I know that Clarke receives regular criticism on the Hotline but most true Scotland fans still believe in him and his team.”
Neil Renton, Leith, wasn’t bumming around when he claimed: “John McGinn is going to go down as the greatest player ever to represent Scotland, mark my words. When he retires they’ll make a statue of him and they’ll put it outside the front doors at Hampden. It’ll be so realistic his bum will be at Mount Florida train station!” John Davidson, Kirkintilloch, said: “From also rans to destiny in our own hands, here’s hoping for a favourable play-off draw and out of nowhere Scotland still dining at the top table.”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “Great result and performance from Scotland. The utter embarrassments of Scotland fans who phone the Hotline putting the boot into this guy despite him being our best manager since Big Jock can now pipe down for a week until they find something else to cry about. Clarke is a great national coach.” Meanwhile, Tim Gibbons joked: “Steve Clarke must be delighted to have stumbled across a centre-half who can cross like David Beckham and a left-back who can head like Peter Crouch!” And Davie Wilson, Glasgow, added: “The addition of Ben Doak to this squad has taken us up another level from the team that went to the Euros. If Aaron Hickey and Lewis Ferguson return from injury without any after effects then surely the World Cup is within reach, Pot 3 or not.”
Clarke had come in for heavy criticism after the Euros flop in the summer. But his son wasn’t hanging about in defending his old man after the conclusion of the Nations League - dubbing the critics “p*****”. However, John Scott, Grassmoor, said: “You can't criticise a man for backing his father - but come on John Clarke, where was this Warsaw mentality during the Euros?
"Some of us know that this group of Scotland players are the most talented we've had in decades so the frustration of so many ‘p*****’ has been well justified. All fans want is Steve Clarke to instil that must win attitude in every game.”
England too enjoyed two victories in the past few days but Scott McAdam, Glasgow, said: “Once again we have England pundits and media all saying the 2026 World Cup is in the bag after a 5-0 victory over a poor Ireland team down to 10 men. We all know it's another false dawn and I for one can't wait.”
Onto domestic matters and Motherwell ace Lennon Miller’s future remains a hot topic. On Monday caller James McCaw tipped the teenager to ignore the interest from the Old Firm and move out of Scotland. And David Reid, Cumnock, agreed. He said: “I totally agree with James about the arrogance of the Old Firm and the assumption that young talent will go to either of them - and I’m a Rangers fan. It is also good he didn’t mention the boy Miller’s value or the ‘Ayr Accountant’ would be on telling everybody about the gazillions of pounds his team have and that the boy will then be sold for £40/£50 million once Brendan has ‘improved’ him.”
