Our man reckons Scotland starlets Ben Doak and Billy Gilmour could be a threat to the Dunblane tennis legend
Steve Clarke isn’t merely playing the role as the self styled King of the Killjoys just for the sake of keeping up curmudgeonly appearances. Even if, sometimes it does feel very much like it. No, assuming we can all accept now that, in all probability, the national boss knows exactly what he is doing as Scotland’s manager then there must be some sound logic behind his attempts to curb the country’s enthusiasm and put a cap on excitement levels where Ben Doak is concerned.
A little later on in that same conference room, Clarke was happy to promote the idea that Doak might not even keep his place in the starting XI despite his man of the match performance in Friday night’s win over Croatia. Clarke was quick to comment in the immediate aftermath of that 1-0 win, that although Doak created John McGinn’s winning goal that he could have had another couple of assists and perhaps even got his own name on the scoresheet.
It’s actually reaching the stage where Doak would be perfectly entitled if he chapped on the manager’s door at the start of the next camp and asked: ‘Is there any chance you can get off my case this time boss?’ And yet, Clarke will be convinced that he’s doing all of this to help the development of a player who looks more and more like the real deal. So Steve, in the unlikely event that you’re reading this, it might be better to look away now.
His big breakthrough came at a time when three of the greatest players ever to pick up a tennis racquet were fighting it out for every major going. And yet he still eclipsed them to become the best in the world, no matter how fleeting it lasted before his body broke down under the strain of carrying him there.
Gilmour is now aged 23 and is some four years further down the development road than Doak, who left Liverpool on loan to Middlesbrough in the summer and is only just starting out in his first full season as a top team regular.
Andy Murray Wimbledon Steve Clarke World Cup Ben Doak Nations League John Mcginn Jurgen Klopp Liverpool FC
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
George Hirst breaks silence over possible Scotland call-up by Steve ClarkeThe frontman helped fire the Tractor Boys to the EPL and opened his account with a goal and assist at Brentford
Read more »
Lawrence Shankland's Scotland inclusion explained by Steve ClarkeHearts skipper Shankland - Scotland's player of the year last season - is struggling for goals this time round but is included in Clarke's squad
Read more »
Steve Clarke insists Scotland's aim is to stay in the top tier of Nations LeagueSome punters have claimed dropping down a level could help but Clarke isn't having that
Read more »
Scotland: Steve Clarke wants clubs and bodies to unite and improve pathway for young playersSteve Clarke believes Scotland can emulate Croatia's success - but need to do something different to improve the pathway for young players.
Read more »
Scotland: Steve Clarke believes they were 'due a break' after vital Nations League win over CroatiaSteve Clarke felt his Scotland side ended their long wait for a win with arguably their poorest performance of the UEFA Nations League campaign.
Read more »
Nations League: Scotland head coach Steve Clarke 'uptight' after crucial winSteve Clarke is 'still a little bit uptight' despite Scotland breaking their long winless run against Croatia at Hampden, but says his side will go to Poland hunting a hugely significant victory.
Read more »