Cuddles and kicked backsides needed to lift Scots, says Clarke
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Cuddles and kicked backsides needed to lift Scots, says Clarke
DUESSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) - Kicked backsides and a few cuddles were needed in the wake of Scotland's demoralising 5-1 defeat by Germany in their opening Euro 2024 game, according to manager Steve Clarke.
The thrashing by the hosts in Munich means Scotland sit bottom of Group A, although with Switzerland to play on Wednesday, followed by Hungary, there is still hope of making the last 16.
For that to happened though Scotland will have to show an enormous improvement as they bid to collect the four points Clarke believes could take them through.
"Kick a couple of backsides, give some cuddles, make the players understand why the Germany result happened and make sure it doesn't happen again," Clarke told reporters on Sunday.
"I've spoken to one or two players around the squad whose opinion I value. I had a good chat with a few of them.
"I had a little chat with a lot of them on the training pitch this morning. Tried to put one or two things in their head about things they maybe didn't do on the pitch."
Asked if Ryan Porteous, who was sent off for a rash tackle in the first half against Germany, had needed special treatment, Clarke said: "He was one of my cuddles.
"He is very down, but we'll pick him back up."
Scotland have never reached the knockout phase of a major tournament but with third place in the group potentially good enough to progress, all is not lost, although Clarke said Friday night's result was still not out of their system.
