Clarke Will Take The Heat But No Easy Fixes To Lift Scottish Football
The Guardian|June 25, 2024
Scotland may have endured anightmare tournament on pitch but problems runmuch deeper than their manager
Ewan Murray
Clarke Will Take The Heat But No Easy Fixes To Lift Scottish Football

The impressive clean-up operation around Stuttgart's Königstrasse ensured that by yesterday morning, traces of the Tartan Army's impact were barely distinguishable. Even Scotland's off-field contribution to Euro 2024 - a widely acclaimed one - has been swiftly airbrushed from history.

At 9am one Scottish fan dozed in a doorway in Buchenstrasse, doubtless suffering the effects of the days before while perhaps trying to recall the high point of this tournament. For Scotland, that was a Scott McTominay shot against Switzerland, shanked into his own net by Fabian Schär. Scotland had already been trounced by Germany. Switzerland equalised, Hungary snatched late victory in the final clash of Group A. For the 12th time in succession, it is farewell before a knockout ball is kicked.

Blame swirls at times such as these. Even the vast ranks of the Scotland support have taken it in the neck for apparently being too upbeat amid disappointment. This is a preposterous argument. The Tartan Army have made friends throughout Germany. Their behaviour has generally been impeccable, free from the aggression attached to club sides abroad. Whether it is depressing or otherwise, those fans have proved Scotland's key contribution to this tournament. On the field, there is evidence to suggest the Scots have been the worst of all 24 participating teams. That should sting anybody who cares about the state of Scotland's national sport.

Steve Clarke is already in the line of fire. Scotland's manager is experienced enough to know this comes with the territory.

An identical finals record to the European Championship of three years ago undermines any sense of progress for the oldest squad in Germany. Clarke has been in the job for five years; familiarity can breed contempt, regardless of the strides made on his watch.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView all
Campbell says she failed in her charity duties but denies any personal gain
The Guardian

Campbell says she failed in her charity duties but denies any personal gain

Naomi Campbell has admitted she failed in her duties as a trustee at the Fashion for Relief charity she founded - but insisted she never engaged in financial misconduct or used the charity for personal gain during its chaotic nine-year existence.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Freedom of speech? Argentina's leader 'lifted' lines straight from the West Wing
The Guardian

Freedom of speech? Argentina's leader 'lifted' lines straight from the West Wing

Argentina's rightwing populist president, Javier Milei, has been accused of plagiarising a chunk of his recent speech to the UN general assembly from the political drama The West Wing.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 05, 2024
You can't beat a bit of Freddie: Flintoff to host Bullseye revival
The Guardian

You can't beat a bit of Freddie: Flintoff to host Bullseye revival

Andrew Flintoff is to relaunch his television hosting career by fronting a one-off Christmas special of the gameshow Bullseye.

time-read
1 min  |
October 05, 2024
Cabinet set for split on assisted dying vote as Miliband backs the bill
The Guardian

Cabinet set for split on assisted dying vote as Miliband backs the bill

MPs backing a new bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales hope to secure a Commons vote by Christmas, but cabinet ministers are set for a big split over support for the legislation.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Police 'took bribes to help AI Fayed persecute staff'
The Guardian

Police 'took bribes to help AI Fayed persecute staff'

Scotland Yard is facing claims that corrupt police officers helped Mohamed AI Fayed in persecuting members of his staff, including a young woman who allegedly rebuffed the Harrods owner's sexual advances.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 05, 2024
Dewsbury-Hall delivers as Gent hit by goal rush
The Guardian

Dewsbury-Hall delivers as Gent hit by goal rush

With every result, Enzo Maresca is making Chelsea believe again.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2024
'My home record is bloody good so it's hard to match that'
The Guardian

'My home record is bloody good so it's hard to match that'

Chris Woakes is ready for the challenge of leading England's Test attack in Pakistan and justifying Brendon McCullum's faith in his ability overseas

time-read
6 mins  |
October 04, 2024
Brewer to reduce emissions by making beer using heat pump
The Guardian

Brewer to reduce emissions by making beer using heat pump

An independent brewery in West Sussex is poised to become the first in Britain to make its beer using an ultra-high-temperature heat pump in place of an oil boiler.

time-read
1 min  |
October 04, 2024
Carmakers complain of pressure to hit EV targets despite record sales in September
The Guardian

Carmakers complain of pressure to hit EV targets despite record sales in September

UK electric car sales hit a record high in September, even as bosses from major carmakers told the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, that government targets were putting too much pressure on the industry.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2024
Bank of England monitoring crisis in the Middle East 'extremely closely'
The Guardian

Bank of England monitoring crisis in the Middle East 'extremely closely'

The Bank of England is monitoring the Middle East crisis amid fears that a worsening conflict between Iran and Israel will make it impossible to stabilise oil prices and leave the global economy vulnerable to a 1970s-style energy shock.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2024