Scotland kicked off their Spain-based training camp today, as preparations continue for next week’s important double-header against Norway and Georgia.
Every player’s circumstances are different at the end of domestic campaigns, with some finishing earlier than others, but Steve Clarke has been able to assemble the bulk of his squad for some warm-weather sessions.
In-form Aberdeen defender Ross McCrorie will join the group on Tuesday ahead of the two qualifiers, in place of Celtic’s Anthony Ralston.
The national team manager has also drafted in three Under-21 regulars – Leon King, Lewis Fiorini and Tommy Conway – for the camp to give them an insight into what life’s like within the senior set-up.
Steve, you and the players have just finished Day One of the training camp. What are you looking for from them over the course of the next few days?
To get them into the mindset of being together again as a group. Most of the group is here. Not everybody, but circumstances dictate who you get and who you don’t get. We’ve got most of them so we can have a few days of good training. It’s nice to get them moving again. Especially the boys who finished the English Championship at the start of May.
Anthony Ralston’s had to drop out and we’ll be joined by Ross McCrorie, who’s coming in on the back of a strong end to the season with Aberdeen. What does Ross bring to the group?
He’s had a good season. The Aberdeen players had a sticky patch, but they came through that, and Ross has impressed a lot of people. He’s got good athleticism, he gets up and down the pitch and he’s good in possession. Ross has also started in one position more often, rather than being moved around as much, so that’s given him that bit of continuity. He’s been in the squad before, so it’s nice to have him back again.
A few of the other boys are going to join us in time for the games next week – Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor, Kieran Tierney, Lewis Ferguson and Scott McTominay. It’s obviously never a ‘one size fits all’ approach in your job.
Some of the boys only finished their seasons yesterday. You’re never going to get everyone together. You’re always going to have some knocks and niggles, with players staying behind to work on that at their clubs. We’ve got a good number here to do some good work. It’s more about getting into their minds and getting them switched back on for international football. Making sure they’re going to be ready for the two games, which are going to be pivotal for the group.
It’s given you the chance to take a closer look at three of the Under-21 players who were available to come over here and take part – Leon King, Lewis Fiorini and Tommy Conway. It’s easy to see what it means to them.
It’s great to have them. I’ve always wanted to show that there is a pathway from the Under-21 squad to the senior squad. With the numbers we’ve got here this week, it was nice to give the three of them the opportunity to join up and show us what they can do. You never know. One of them might do fantastically well and we’ll need them for next week. There’s always that chance. It’s good for them, good for their experience and they’re happy to be here and be part of the senior squad. If they have to drop down to Scot Gemmill’s squad for their games, they’ll be in good shape.
There are doubts over John Soutter, Liam Cooper and Nathan Patterson but you’re going to give them a bit of time to rule themselves in or out?
They couldn’t be with us this week but they’re with their clubs, working hard on their fitness, and we’ll give them every chance to be ready to join us next week in Glasgow. We’ve got good cover in all positions and that’s why I picked a slightly larger squad than I normally would.
You’ve added a familiar face to the coaching staff for the training camp in James Morrison, who was a very popular player with the Scotland supporters. Talk us through his involvement this week.
James is here to help out. He’s a young coach and he played a lot of games for Scotland, so people can relate to him. He’s actually played with some of the boys who are in the squad. I want to give a chance to some of these younger coaches to step up. James is here. He’ll help me, John Carver, Austin MacPhee and Chris Woods as part of the squad this week. We’ll see how he does. He was one of my players at West Brom, so I know him well as a player. It’s nice to see what he’s like as a coach as well.
As someone who has made that same step – from player to coach – it must be nice for you to see James make that transition?
It’s always nice because modern players could easily find an excuse to leave the game. James retired at a pretty young age because he had a few injuries issues. He got his teeth into coaching, he’s doing his coaching badges and it’s nice to be able to help him as he looks to progress his coaching career.
How do you rate his performance in training? He joined in with the boxes. Has he still got it?
He’s good. He keeps telling me he’s on 46 caps and is asking if he can get four more. He joined in our game and did alright.
Finally, it’s clear the players and staff are enjoying being back together as a group but there’s also an edge and focus to it ahead of two big games.
The two games will be pivotal in the group. We’ve had a great start, but we have to build on that. Norway away will be tough. Georgia, at home, will be equally tough, but we’ve had a good start and should go into the games with confidence. We want to get the points required to go into the second half of the campaign in a good position.
Scotland Squad
Zander Clark
Angus Gunn
Liam Kelly
Liam Cooper*
Jack Hendry
Aaron Hickey
Dominic Hyam
Ross McCrorie
Nathan Patterson*
Ryan Porteous
Andy Robertson
John Souttar*
Greg Taylor*
Kieran Tierney*
Stuart Armstrong
Lewis Ferguson*
Billy Gilmour
Ryan Jack
John McGinn
Callum McGregor*
Kenny McLean
Scott McTominay*
Ryan Christie
Lyndon Dykes
Kevin Nisbet
Lawrence Shankland
*Denotes players who are due to join up with the squad next week.