Momentum the Key for Clarke's Men

Scotland's game against San Marino was seen by many as a damp squib with results recently in a campaign branded a disaster. The weather also played it's hand with the heavens opening making it more of a flooded squib than a damp one ... ok, bad jokes over.

This post isn't getting carried away with Scotland’s 6-0 victory over the worst-ranked team, however, there are positives to take from it as we go into a big year for the national side.

Steve Clarke set out his side with a few first starts in Lawrence Shankland and Stuart Findlay and in these two we have our first positive note. Both players managed to get themselves on the score sheet and put in encouraging performances. Shankland looked hungry and eager to get himself on the ball and bring others into play as much as wanting to get on the scoreboard himself. That desire is something the number nine shirt hasn't had with a few players. Also, Findlay dubbing his goal and becoming only the third Kilmarnock player to score for Scotland as by far the peak of his career emphasises the pride these players have for playing for Scotland. They may not be playing at the highest level but surely impressive performances and more importantly that love and desire to play for the national side, which so many don't have, is something we should consider going forward.



Now I'm not going to get carried away with the results or the goals. Of course it is good to see another hat-trick for a Scotland player in John McGinn, we waited forty-six years for one and now we've had five in three years, and also great to see a player so low in confidence in Stuart Armstrong come on a prove his worth with a cracking finish. The main thing to take from today is Steve Clarke's comment that the players have a smile on their face. Morale has been doom and gloom for a while now but hopefully this can be the start of positive times. Clarke took a stand-offish approach to yesterday's game, mainly remaining in his seat, and left the players to work it out between themselves on the pitch. Players like McTominay, who many including BBC awarded man of the match, showed great leadership skills during and after the game, so let's hope the smiles and attitude that the players found last night can carry on into next month.



We have two more games, away to Cyprus and home to Kazakhstan, before our play-off. It is vital that we win both of them. The word momentum has been thrown about a lot recently and it couldn't be more important. We know a win against San Marino shows us very little of where we are in but if we can follow that up with another six points, the mindset going into a big play-off semi final at Hampden may be a little bit different.
So, the smiles may be back for some but the hard work needed is clear for all to see. BBC Sportsound ended their show last night with a thought for the listeners and with that I want to also end my blog - Where is everything we want to achieve? ... It is still in front of us.