Stale Tactics, Old Faces: The Problem with Clarke’s Scotland

Steve Clarke’s Scotland may have earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Denmark, but beneath the resilience lies a history of cautious tactics, failed Euro campaigns, and missed opportunities.

Scotland’s 0-0 draw with Denmark last night has been celebrated by some partisan media as a positive result, a sign of steady progress and resilience. However, beneath this veneer of optimism lies a frustrating reality that continues to plague Scottish football under manager Steve Clarke. This result is yet another chapter in a pattern of cautious, uninspired performances that have defined Clarke's tenure since he took charge.

Clarke has consistently struggled to push Scotland beyond the mid-tier status of international football. After two European Championship campaigns and failed World Cup qualification attempts, it has become clear that Scotland needs a manager with greater ambition and tactical daring - qualities that Clarke lacks.

Past European Championship Campaigns

Under Steve Clarke, Scotland has qualified for two major European Championships: Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. Both tournaments, however, exposed the limitations of Clarke’s approach and highlighted the stagnation within the Scottish squad.

Euro 2020 was Scotland’s first major tournament qualification since the 1998 World Cup in France, a moment that should have sparked excitement and progress for national football. Despite this historical achievement, the team’s performance was underwhelming. Scotland was drawn into a competitive group alongside England, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. While the excitement of qualification was palpable, the campaign itself was marred by a lack of attacking impetus and tactical depth.

Scotland failed to score in their opening match against the Czech Republic losing 2-0, setting the tone for a tournament where the team lacked creativity and cutting edge. The narrow 0-0 draw with England followed, a result some praised for its defensive solidity but one that again demonstrated Clarke’s unwillingness to take offensive risks. Scotland’s campaign was ultimately ended by a 3-1 defeat to Croatia, a defeat that summed up the side’s limitations - vulnerable at the back and ineffective going forward. The team finished bottom of the group, and the sense that progress was being hampered by conservative tactics and a limited squad was hard to ignore.

Optimism was cautiously renewed for Euro 2024 as Scotland secured qualification once again. However, the performance in this second consecutive European Championship reflected a similar pattern. The team once again struggled to impose themselves on the competition and failed to advance beyond the group stage. Scotland looked like a side reluctant to push forward at all, opting for a defensive approach that often was overly cautious and reactive rather than proactive.

The distinct lack of attacking was evident throughout the tournament. Clarke’s reliance on players who had been involved in previous campaigns - some of whom were past their prime - limited opportunities for new talent to emerge and reinvigorate the squad. The failure to secure a win and the inability to even attempt to try to score a goal in key moments once again highlighted a fundamental flaw in Clarke’s management, a failure to gamble in pursuit of victory and a tendency to play not to lose rather than to win.

Recycled Players and Lack of Ambition

This tendency to stick with familiar names such as Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes has been typical of Clarke’s conservative approach. Both players have garnered criticism for not offering the dynamic attacking force Scotland needs on the international stage. Clarke’s reluctance to experiment with or fully integrate younger, more versatile attacking talents suggests a manager stuck in his ways, unwilling or unable to adapt to the demands of modern international football.

The lack of tactical imagination extends beyond player selection. Clarke often adopts a defensive midfield setup, prioritising solidity over creativity, and this strategy plays into the hands of opponents who can sit back and frustrate the Scottish side before countering at pace. Far too often, Scotland look content to absorb pressure and hope for counter-attacking opportunities rather than pressing forward with high energy and a clear attacking plan. In my opinion, Clarke as a manager has no real ambition or kahunas, he is someone who is doing his best to avoid the risks and chooses safety over the thrilling possibility of victory.

Bang Average Manager

Ultimately, Steve Clarke’s managerial style at the international level feels like a version of his club career. While his work for clubs like Kilmarnock brought moments of respectability, the international game demands more than just careful management. Scotland needs leadership that challenges the status quo and unleashes the full potential of its players - and then some.

Clarke comes across as a middle-of-the-league club manager adept at organising teams defensively, but lacking the tactical boldness, motivational force, and comprehensive vision to take the national team to the next level. His approach fails to inspire players and fans alike, frequently leaving Scotland stuck in the doldrums as also-rans rather than competing with real authority on the world stage.

The Manager Scotland Needs

Scottish football fans are understandably tired of the endless cycle of narrow qualifications followed by uninspiring tournament exits or qualifying campaign failures. The time has come for a manager with real courage - someone willing to challenge the team to play with belief, creativity, and attacking verve. A manager who can embrace the talent within Scotland’s player pool and deploy it with tactical innovation and fearlessness.

There are promising players capable of igniting this transformation, but under Clarke, few have been truly maximised, and those that have been relied on repeatedly often fail to deliver. It is a mark of Clarke’s failure that many younger players have grown frustrated by the lack of trust and the conservative tactical setups.

While Steve Clarke deserves credit for securing Scotland’s participation in two consecutive European Championships - a feat no one should dismiss lightly - the results on the pitch tell a less flattering story. Defensive-minded, risk-averse, and reliant on a limited player pool, Clarke’s Scotland lacks the drive and ambition needed to break out of mid-table obscurity. The 0-0 draw against Denmark may be sold as a success, but it is yet another symptom of a managerial approach that prioritises caution over creativity.

Scotland deserves a manager who demands more, pushes the team forward relentlessly, and inspires belief both in players and supporters. Until that change comes, the nation’s hopes of returning to the top echelons of international football will remain out of reach.

Who do you want to replace Steve Clarke as Scotland manager when the time comes? Let me know.