No theatre or Scotland curveballs from loyal Clarke

Stone Cold Steve Clarke arrived at Hampden and delivered a brief, blunt World Cup squad announcement with little fanfare. The Scottish FA attempted to add drama on social media, but Clarke did not engage with it. The squad was largely known in advance because Clarke had indicated it was already set. Clarke’s loyalty shaped selection, making him largely unmoved by arguments for other players. The announcement included Findlay Curtis, a 19-year-old from Rangers, after a productive loan spell at Kilmarnock. His performances helped move him into the national-team picture, reflecting Clarke’s preference for steady, proven contributions.

"Clarke's aversion to theatre meant the first Scotland World Cup squad announcement in nearly 30 years was about as humdrum as could be, no fanfare from the manager, nothing to separate it from any other squad announcement. On social media, the Scottish FA did its best to bring an element of drama to it, but Clarke was never going to play along with that. A friendly game against, er, whoever, or a momentous day for the Scottish national team and the chosen ones bound for the States - same difference. It's his way. Consistency, normality, an unchanging vibe."

"Beforehand, we knew most things, pretty much. We knew because Clarke said a few weeks ago that the squad was more or less set in his head already. He values loyalty like he appreciates his next breath, so while others made the case for Oli McBurnie, Oliver Burke, Kieron Bowie, Stephen Welsh and others, Clarke would barely have noticed. You got the sense that McBurnie could have scored a hat-trick in every game in the last two months of the season and Clarke would have been unmoved."

"Maybe he doesn't fancy him as a footballer, maybe he doesn't fancy him as a human being. Whatever. We weren't expecting fireworks, but there was, at least, a story or two. Findlay Curtis, the bit-part and under-appreciated 19-year-old from Rangers, is included after a productive loan spell at Kilmarnock. In taking a few steps down the Premiership table, Curtis propelled himself forward into a promised land."

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