Clarke: Scotland players lifted me up after Dutch defeat

Steve Clarke revealed the Scotland players had to pick him up following Friday's 4-0 friendly defeat against Netherlands in Amsterdam.

The visitors more than matched their more illustrious opponents for the best part of 70 minutes but a sobering scoreline extended the Scots' winless runs to six games.

Ahead of the friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden Park, which also acts as part of the build-up to this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany, Clarke reflected on a "peculiar game".

Clarke said: "They (the players) have had to pick me up.

"I tend to sulk a little bit longer than they do, they move on a little bit quicker than I do because I probably have a little bit more to think about than they have.

"They have reacted well. When we had the de-brief about the game, they understood the points I was making, they will take the messages on board and hopefully we can show we are improving.

 

"Within 24 to 36 hours, you are ready for the next game, you are looking for the next game.