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Much of the criticism stemming from Scotland’s lackluster Euro 2024 showing stemmed from Clarke’s reluctance to move away from a back-five formation.
This summer, it was not like that. The Scotland boss used three different formations in three different games.
The 4-4-2 formation that helped the Scots score eight goals in two thrilling World Cup games against 10-man Curacao and Bolivia was deployed in a nervy win over Haiti.
Slight variations of the 4-2-3-1 were used against Morocco and Brazil, with full-back Kieran Tierney at left midfield instead of the former and a more attack-minded system, with Ben Gannon-Doc on the wing instead for the Brazilians.
Morocco aside, the Scotland XIs’ front-foot appearances against Haiti and Brazil on paper have played into the idea that Clarke traveled to America as a freshman with fresh ideas.
However, there were recurring concerns about game plans and their execution.
Scotland were clinging on for most of their 1-0 win in Haiti and many feared a one-goal win could damage their promotion hopes. Now he looks set to play a role in what seems an inevitable early exit.
