Steve Clarke wants his Scotland side to create their own headlines against Greece — after having their thunder stolen by club football in recent days.
Already on four points after two matches, the national ream can take a huge step towards qualifying for the World Cup by seeing off the Greeks and Belarus in back-to-back matches at Hampden.
Although Thursday’s game is heading for a sell-out, the build-up has been strangely low-key with Russell Martin’s sacking at Rangers dominating the agenda.
Clarke would dearly like to see that put right and has implored his players to deliver a display which gives the Tartan Army something to shout about.
‘What’s happening domestically? I don’t know,’ he smiled.
‘I do glance through the headlines sometimes and it’s been strange in the build-up to such a big game that the national team has not been the main headline. But listen, that’s the nature of football in Scotland.
Steve Clarke insists it is up to his men to give fans something positive to talk about
Clarke will look to the likes of Ben Gannon Doak to attack the Greeks at Hampden
Greece ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Hampden on a miserable night back in March
‘The fans are always important. We know when we come here we have to give them something to shout about. So, we have to start the game on the front foot to get them onside.
‘And sometimes, when a game is going against you a little bit, that’s when you need your fans the most.
‘I’m sure the Scottish public will realise it’s a very important game for ourselves and Greece. And they can make that little bit of difference with the noise that they make, especially in the difficult moments.’
Clarke, who reported no injuries to the original squad which now includes Derby defender Max Johnston, will draw level with the late Craig Brown’s record of 71 games in charge of the national team against the Greeks then move out on his own against Belarus on Sunday.
Asked about the significance of approaching the landmark after six years at the helm, he added: ‘I’ve enjoyed it. When you take the job you don’t think you’re going to be in for six and a bit years with so many games under your belt.
‘I have been lucky enough to work with a really good, consistent squad of players who have done ever so well for me. All my coaches have helped me and to get to this stage is really nice. But at the moment my focus is only on qualifying for the World Cup next year.
Clarke will overtake Craig Brown’s record of 71 games in charge of Scotland against Belarus
‘I haven’t really thought about it, I have to be honest. I think when it comes to milestones and career marks, I’ve had a half-decent career as a player and a half-decent career up to now as a manager and a head coach.
‘I don’t think I’m finished yet. Let me finish and then look back and I will tell you exactly how I feel about it.’
Brown, who set the existing record between 1993 and 2002, remains the last manager to lead Scotland to a World Cup.
Asked what he thought Brown would say to him, Clarke responded: ‘He would probably point out that I hadn’t qualified for a World Cup!
‘He would probably also point out that he should have dug his heels in and stayed a little bit longer and then maybe he would have been the guy who’d been to three tournaments and set a different benchmark.
‘Listen, Craig was a good man. He was part of the squad when I went away as an Under-19 player down to Mexico. He was part of that group. We knew each other a long time. And I did forgive him for not picking me when he was national team manager…’
