Steve Clarke press conference
Steve Clarke speaks to the press ahead of Scotland’s match against Portugal.
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00:00Obviously Conor Barton with the under-21s, was that a case of once that game didn't go that way, that was the only place to dip back in like you did in the previous one?
00:10Yeah, I think I've already got a number of players within the squad that haven't been in the squad before.
00:17Conor's been with us, it was an obvious call-up, just gives us a bit more depth in the squad.
00:23How was everyone feeling after the other night?
00:27Yeah, good, good. Obviously, like always, disappointed with the result, but I feel as though I'm repeating myself.
00:37There is a process that you have to go through, you're playing at the top table against top teams, maybe the results are not going to go for you,
00:44but we have to believe in what we're doing and when I look at the players on the pitch, then I believe in what we're doing.
00:52Did you talk with the coach about the mid-week match?
00:57First question for the coach, if all the players are ready for tomorrow's game?
01:02The answer is yes.
01:04And then the question was also asked about the game.
01:07The coach said that the team, Conor was there and will be there for the game,
01:15which gives more solutions to the team. He's not happy with the result, but it's part of the process that's being developed.
01:25Maybe the results have not been so positive so far, but I believe in the players and the process that we're going through.
01:33Steve, you said the other night it would be better to speak in depth with your team once you go back to Glasgow.
01:39What was the nature of those conversations? How much of a job do you have to pick the players up?
01:44No, the players are good. Ready to go again. There's absolutely no issue whatsoever with that.
01:49Like I said before, the players understand where we are in the process.
01:54They understand what they have to do to get results.
01:57As far as I can see, and hopefully as far as everyone else can see, they're all on board with that.
02:03Question for the coach. Take into account the depth of the selection and what was the nature of your conversation?
02:11There are no problems. The players are confident. They know that they are part of the process and so we can continue.
02:19Steve, you talked after Sarri's game on there about the belief that you have in the players.
02:24How challenging is it to get them to have the same belief in themselves that you have in them?
02:30It's really simple. They do believe in themselves. They understand that we're playing difficult opponents.
02:35They understand also that the squad could be stronger. Everyone knows that. All these things are there to be seen.
02:42I don't speak about it too much because I feel it's disrespectful to the boys that are in the squad.
02:48We have to concentrate on who we have here and we have to go out against Portugal and we know we have to be very good at everything we do in the game.
02:56Hopefully we can get the result that might just change the whole mood about the place.
03:27There's a real alchemy that goes into turning good performances into positive results.
03:32Do you feel you're getting closer to that and how big a role can Hampton and the crowd play in that tomorrow?
03:38The crowd have got a part to play. The crowd also have to believe in their team and their players.
03:44I don't see any reason why we shouldn't believe in this group of players.
03:49We've got three players that are inside the top ten camp appearances for the country.
03:56After 20 years in the international wilderness, this group of players have been to two major tournaments.
04:01They've got promotion to this top level of the Nations League.
04:05I don't understand why people would be doubting about this group of players.
04:10It's a tough moment. There's no doubt about it. We believe in ourselves.
04:19The question is related to the quality of the performance and positive results.
04:26We know we have a good team. The players also know we have a good team.
04:30I don't see why there should be reason for so many questions.
04:34It's necessary to take into account that in the last 20 years, Scotland has finally been able to play in major tournaments.
04:40Scotland has been promoted to this division of the Nations League.
04:44We will continue to have the same type of games.
04:47We believe it will be possible to have a strong team with good qualities.
05:14It gets us the positive result that we all want.