Scotland need credit top up as Steve Clarke warns Tartan Army patience isn't endless

Steve Clarke has warned his Euro-bound stars they are testing the patience of the Tartan Army after going seven games without a win.

And the Scotland boss admits his side can’t count indefinitely on the continued support of the fed-up fans who booed them off their own pitch on Tuesday night. Jeers rang out around Hampden at both half time and on the final whistle as Clarke’s players crashed 1-1 at home to an inexperienced Northern Ireland side – hot on the heels of a 4-0 doing in Netherlands last Friday night.

With a second successive European Championship finals now on the horizon Clarke attempted to brush off the spikey reaction from the stands in the aftermath of Tuesday’s disappointment when he shrugged: “It is what it is.” But he has now acknowledged the goodwill his players have built up with the public is in danger of running low ahead of this summer’s tournament – with the Scots’ recent slump in results the worst of any of the 24 qualified nations.

Asked about the reaction from the crowd Clarke said: “I don’t really notice it. I know they were booing but I don’t really notice.”

But when pushed on whether he believes Scotland have earned more credit from the home support by reaching a second successive Euros he said: “But you only have so much credit. If you keep spending your credit you run out of money! It is just the same. It has not been an ideal March camp.”

And Clarke went on to give his backing to Everton’s out-of-sorts full-back Nathan Patterson whose mistake led to Northern Ireland’s winner. He said: “He did fantastic to get back in then picked the wrong option. It happens if you are not playing regularly.”