ROBERTO Martinez last night claimed that Steve Clarke is performing miracles as Scotland manager despite seeing his Belgium side thrash his opposite number's team 4-0 in a Euro 2020 qualifier at Hampden.
Clarke, who succeeded Alex McLeish as boss of his country back in June and was only taking charge of his fourth match, insisted he saw some encouraging signs during the one-sided Group I match.
And Martinez, the former Motherwell player whose wife hails from this country, agreed with his counterpart afterwards, predicted that better times lie ahead for this country in future and urged supporters to keep faith with the man in charge.
“I know it’s frustrating – I’m half Scottish and I know how passionate we are,” he said. “International football is about having a long-term plan and this group of players have got the talent and desire to play for Scotland.
“Steve Clarke is working miracles with a group of players that he’s only seeing three or four days. It is very clear to see there are positive signs. Six players are now starting games in the Premier League, three in the top six. It is very difficult to get players in top-six teams. This is a long-term plan for Scottish football if everyone is patient.”
Martinez was delighted with how Belgium, who were missing Eden and Thorgan Hazard as well as Vincent Kompany and Axel Witsel, performed as they racked up their sixth consecutive win in their section to maintain their three point lead over Russia.
“It wasn’t just the quality of play – we know the quality we have,” he said. “Today we had to be very good in many aspects.
“We had to work very hard off the ball – Scotland are growing into becoming a technical team. We had to be clinical and the first goal shows you that.
"From then on, it was very easy to switch off. But the back three and Thibaut (Courtois) and the whole team, it was very pleasing to get a clean sheet.
“We almost gave the two midfielders a very difficult job. We knew Scotland would have an extra body there.
“But it gave space to Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku. Every camp we’re gaining a player in a certain position. Scotland can be a technical team but a physical team as well. Leander’s (Dendoncker) physicality helped us a lot with that.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel