Scotland goes to Sunday’s friendly match in Luxembourg with “free confidence,” said Steve Clarke as the manager finalized his Euro 2020 plans.
Clarke intends to build on Wednesday in a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. As the team prepares for its first major tournament since 1998.
“We can’t bear it,” he said. “The boys are very happy with their performance that was done against the Dutch, and I’m happy. So in the next game, and I hope we will be the same.”
After leading twice against the Netherlands in Portugal, Clarke added: “You have to go to these games with the top teams believing you can get something.
“We did it one night. And it was an idea we had to take three tough games against tough opponents in this tournament.
“International experience always helps. And getting used to playing these games, getting accustomed to winning.
“Not giving up is very important in the game, and the speed we have been in is good. We want to move you forward in this tournament.”
Scotland kicked off the European Championships against the Czech Republic on June 14. England and Croatia were other Group D opponents.
News about the team Scotland.
David Marshall, John McGinn, Grant Hanley, Che Adams, Stephen O’Donnell, and Nathan Patterson are all the available players.
As they missed Wednesday’s game as a defense after John Fleck found out he had Covid-19.
Fleck continues to isolate himself from the club’s training camp in Spain. But midfielders Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour struggle to start after joining their teammates on Wednesday.
Chelsea youngster Gilmour has replaced the Netherlands late. He was making his appearance before taking part in a coaching course.
That leaves 19-year-old teammate Patterson as the only uncapped player in Clarke’s squad.“I’ll always look closely at the one or two different things,” Clarke explained.
“We’ll also try to get minutes for some players, who maybe are looking for one or two combinations. So that could put us in a good position to go to this tournament.
“And I also do have a few of the things to think about overnight. But it will be a good team on the field.”
How good is Luxembourg?
Ranked 96th globally, Luxembourg is a developing team. Which recently stunned the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
Norway needed a goal in the last minute to beat Luc Holtz‘s side 1-0 on Wednesday.
Dynamo Kiev striker Gerson Rodrigues has scored the only goal in the game against the team Irish. And shot Luxembourg ahead of Portugal a few days later before losing 3-1.
Moreover, the defender Enes Mahmutovic and midfielder Olivier Thill also play in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Maxime Chanot is between the MLS and the New York City. Midfielder Christopher Martins is in Switzerland for Young Boys.
And captain Laurent Jans is experienced in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.
“You always have to respect all of your opponents in the same way. And we have to look at reaching our level of performance,” Clarke said.
“If we can now get to this level. I believe we can get results in our favor if we face a lot of teams.
“I had thought that our World Cup qualifiers in March were good. However, in case there were no points we wanted.
“And the confidence has improved a lot when we are ready for the tournament. You can see that in the camp, in the form of players.
“Moreover, they do know the fact that they have done well to get what they are. And they want to do better.”
The most recent meeting between Scotland and Luxembourg was in 2012, with Jordan Rhodes scoring two goals in a 2-1 friendly.
Billy Stark was temporarily in charge of the friendly manager. And Norwich captain Hanley was the only player on the current squad.
