Whoever takes charge of Scotland next has been handed some clear advice from those close to the squad: don’t make the same mistake Steve Clarke did.
Clarke is facing serious criticism after leaving out one of Scotland’s most in-form strikers from his World Cup qualifying plans, a decision that has been branded “unbelievable” by former players and pundits who feel the move could cost the national team dearly.
The outgoing Scotland manager, who recently stepped down after a turbulent spell in charge, has come under fire for consistently overlooking attacking talent that many believe should have been central to his plans. Critics argue that Clarke’s reluctance to trust certain forwards was one of the key reasons Scotland struggled to find their cutting edge during his tenure.
Former Scotland internationals have been vocal in the aftermath, with several pointing to the striker’s club form as evidence that the omission made no footballing sense. The player in question has been among the sharpest performers in his league this season, racking up goals and assists at a rate that most national team managers would jump at.
The frustration is not just about one selection call. It reflects a wider feeling that Clarke’s later years in the job became too cautious, too rigid, and too reluctant to shake things up even when results were demanding a fresh approach. Scotland failed to qualify for the World Cup, and for many fans that outcome was the final word on whether the tactics and selections had been working.
Speaking to Scottish football media, one former cap said the decision to leave the striker out was one of the most baffling calls he had seen at international level. He argued that Scotland cannot afford to waste players who are performing at the top of their game, particularly when the national side is trying to rebuild momentum and push for major tournament qualification.
The timing of the criticism matters too. Scotland are now entering a transitional period, with the search for a new manager well underway. Several names have been linked with the job, and whoever comes in will need to make an immediate impression on a squad that has shown real quality in patches but never quite managed to string it all together under Clarke.
There is a genuine sense of excitement about what the next chapter could look like. Scotland have players capable of competing with strong European sides, and the squad has decent depth in several positions. But the feeling among many supporters and former players is that the attacking options have never been used smartly enough, and that getting that part of the game right will be crucial.
The message to the incoming manager is simple: look at what was ignored, and think again. Scotland’s striker pool is not overflowing with world-class talent, so when someone is banging in goals week after week at club level, they deserve a proper chance to do the same in a dark blue shirt.
Fans have also taken to social media in large numbers to back the criticism of Clarke’s selection record, with many sharing stats and highlights to make the case that the forward deserved far more opportunities than he was given. The debate has reignited a longer conversation about how Scotland identify and develop attacking players, and whether the national setup is doing enough to nurture forwards from a young age.
Scottish football is at a crossroads. The next manager will carry huge expectations, and decisions made in the early months of the job will set the tone for what follows. Getting the striker question right might seem like a small thing, but in international football, small things have a habit of deciding big outcomes.
One thing is clear: the fans want to see Scotland play with more adventure, more trust in their best attackers, and more willingness to back form over familiarity. Clarke’s legacy will be debated for some time, but on this particular issue, the verdict from those inside the game seems pretty united.