Brendan Rodgers told Celtic MUST borrow the Steve Clarke anti football playbook as Hotline sent into Scotland tailspin

Sympathy is in short supply for Scotland boss Steve Clarke.

The national-team were just moments from taking a Nations League point against Portugal before Cristiano Ronaldo’s late winner sank them. On the face of it, Clarke appeared to have plenty of positives to take from the performance. However, those contacting the Hotline didn’t see it that way. Henry McCoy said: “Have to get rid of Clarke. He is so negative, doesn’t play subs until 90-plus minutes and the team can’t pass to each other, when you see how crisp the other teams pass to one another. Rubbish.”

On a similar theme, Jim Mackintosh said: “I can’t understand why he waited until the 83rd minute to make his first substitution when the team was under so much pressure from the 50th minute and then waited until the 90th minute to bring on Ben Doak. Fresh legs were needed long before that.”

Kenneth Watson said: “Clarke saying there has been a lot of positives if you can ignore the results. In that case, we had a good Euros if you ignore the results.” Neil Renton, Leith, said: “Well, it’s good to see natural order resumed as the Scottish national team are back to being very Scottish. Beating the likes of Spain and Norway feels like a very distant memory now.”

Tim Gibbens stated: “It’s great that our talented midfielders Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour are now playing for Napoli. However, it’s a shame we don’t also have a miserly Italian defence.”

Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, said: “I hope Brendan Rodgers takes a leaf out of Steve ‘anti football’ Clarke’s coaching book when Celtic play their away Euro ties. Sit back, frustrate, bore us to death and maybe, with a wee bit of luck, we’ll come away with a point. Time to fall on your sword Steve."

Tommy Forbes, Aberdeen