Steve Clarke putting Scotland before CV as boss declares tough tests will continue despite risk to record

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has insisted he won’t put his own CV ahead of the development of his side as they head towards Germany 2024.

Clarke was speaking after losing a third straight game here in Lille on Tuesday night - on the back of defeats against Spain and England. The run of painful losses has taken some of the shine off the manager’s celebrations following Sunday night’s confirmation that Clarke and his players will be lining up against the big boys next summer.

But, even so, he is convinced that playing more warm up games against the elite is the best possible preparation for what lies in store for the Scots when the tournament kicks-off in June. And, with four more friendly dates to come in March and June, he plans to continue exposing his side to top level opposition even if it means his own win percentage as Scotland boss takes a hammering.

Clarke said: “We are on a losing run. But we have to recognise the quality of the opposition. If I want to protect my stats and my win percentage then I can pick easier friendlies but if I think if I pick easier friendlies then we won’t learn anything.

“The point is to learn. It is sore to come away and lose 4-1. It is sore. The boys are hurting a little bit. But hopefully when they come back next month they will remember the hurt and they will transfer that onto the pitch in our last two qualifiers against Georgia and Norway.”

Clarke sent out a largely second string starting XI against the World Cup runners up even though the French were at full strength. And he explained: “I certainly will not be making eight changes in the friendlies from the group who I think will be starting in the summer, so there has to be some tweaks round about that as you can always pick up