Share this @internewscast.com

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

Steve Clarke last night urged his Scotland players to travel to Georgia next month and call a halt to their losing run.

After the high of qualification for the Euro 2024 finals on Sunday a 4-1 thrashing to France in Lille made it three defeats on the bounce.

Despite eight changes to the team beaten by Spain last week Billy Gilmour’s first international goal got a much-changed Scotland side off to a dream start.

Beaten by England, then Spain, Clarke insists he will never be satisfied with losing games. And, with two qualification games still to play in Group A, he wants his side to go to Tbilisi next month and get back to winning ways.

Steve Clarke's side fell to a 4-1 defeat to France in Lille after securing qualification from the Euros at the weekend

Steve Clarke's side fell to a 4-1 defeat to France in Lille after securing qualification from the Euros at the weekend

Steve Clarke’s side fell to a 4-1 defeat to France in Lille after securing qualification from the Euros at the weekend

Billy Gilmour scored his first goal for Scotland before the hosts scored four to secure victory

Billy Gilmour scored his first goal for Scotland before the hosts scored four to secure victory

Billy Gilmour scored his first goal for Scotland before the hosts scored four to secure victory

‘We can take the memory of qualification but we lost two games in the camp.

‘We don’t like losing. I don’t want them to be comfortable losing or happy losing, We spoke about that after the game, it is important we set our standards higher than that.

‘We do not want to lose, we have lost three in a row now. I have asked them to make sure when we go to Georgia that we stop this run.

‘We played a good team tonight. A tram team that is a big threat. Especially one versus one, they can beat players and open things up.

‘I thought we started the game really well. The first 15 minutes was good.

‘We got ourselves in front then to concede from a corner was disappointing because we know France can score from open play so you try not to give goals away from set plays. The first two involved set plays or the second phase from set plays.

‘The third one, I have to say I don’t think VAR should have got involved in the penalty decision. It was soft and when the referee goes there, he has to be a little bit stronger to stick with his original decision. Both players were at it, which is normal in the box. It felt like a poor decision and that takes the game away from us a little bit.

‘Second half was OK, we passed the ball well, but every time France go forward their pace, power and quality means they are always a threat.’

Clarke handed a Scotland debut to Motherwell keeper Liam Kelly and drafted Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson into midfield.

Captain Kylian Mbappe was on target, while Benjamin Pavard was at the double and Kingsley Coman netted the fourth

Captain Kylian Mbappe was on target, while Benjamin Pavard was at the double and Kingsley Coman netted the fourth

Captain Kylian Mbappe was on target, while Benjamin Pavard was at the double and Kingsley Coman netted the fourth

Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly conceded four goals on his senior debut for Scotland

Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly conceded four goals on his senior debut for Scotland

Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly conceded four goals on his senior debut for Scotland

Coming up against a strong world class French starting eleven the defeat was a sobering reality check after the jubilation over reaching Germany next summer.

‘I am happy with my team selection.

‘Lots to learn, lots for us to improve. We know we are not at that level yet. It is a level we strive to get to and the harder we strive to get there, the better team we will be.

‘I have to be honest, tonight I am not looking beyond next month because that is two competitive games and we want to stop the run of losing. We want to finish on the sane points as Spain so the target next month is to take six points and finish with 21 in the group, which would make it a really good campaign. That is what we want to do.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Nottingham Forest Transfer Updates: Latest on Morgan Gibbs-White, Key Players at Risk of Leaving, and Potential Wingers to Succeed Anthony Elanga

Nottingham Forest are furious with Tottenham Hotspur over their approach for Morgan…

Liverpool’s Six Alternative Striker Options if Alexander Isak Deal Falls Through – Includes Surprise Premier League Name, Aston Villa Pursues Man United Player, and Arsenal Competes for EFL Talent in Transfer Update

LIVERPOOL have explored moves for a number of high-profile centre forwards over…

Leaked Images Reveal Argentina’s New Home Jersey for 2026 World Cup

The reigning champions, Argentina, are preparing to defend their World Cup title…

Why Conor McGregor Hasn’t Tied the Knot with Longtime Partner Dee Devlin After 16 Years Amid New Allegations and Cheating Scandal

Conor McGregor has offered up a variety of reasons for why he…

Leaked: Barcelona’s Mamba 2025/26 Away Kit Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant

Barcelona’s 2025/26 away kit is expected to launch in the coming weeks,…

Striker’s Relationship with Manager Strained After Newcastle Hands No. 9 Shirt to Record Signing

Few shirts in English football weigh heavier than Newcastle’s No.9 and once…

Birmingham City’s Ambitious Premier League Return: Outmaneuvering Top Clubs for Talent, Tech Experts from Facebook and Microsoft, and a £2 Billion Masterplan to Leave Competitors Behind

Cristiano Ronaldo’s exceptional career has been driven by his unwavering commitment to…

Tottenham’s £55m Pursuit of Mohammed Kudus: The Dilemma and Thomas Frank’s Unwavering Interest by MATT BARLOW

The last time Mohammed Kudus was seen at Tottenham he was disappearing…

Wayne Rooney Lands Lucrative Contract for New Position

Wayne Rooney has reportedly signed a big-money deal to become a regular…

Jordan Henderson makes a surprise comeback to the Premier League, joining a new club on a free transfer after leaving Ajax early and ending his challenging stint in Saudi Arabia.

Jordan Henderson is set to sign for Brentford after his early release…

Inside Tom Brady’s Impact in Birmingham: The Motivational Speech That Defeated Wrexham, His Innovative Training Regimen, and Wedding Day Phone Calls

The ping of a smartphone is perhaps the most familiar sound in…

Noni Madueke Poised to Become Chelsea’s Sixth Player Transfer to Arsenal in Seven Years: Will the Blues Profit Again After Earning £142m from Past Deals?

The London pipeline from Chelsea to Arsenal continues. It centres on a…