Steve Clarke sold us a pup in Germany but stubborn Scotland boss rediscovers self-respect – Keith Jackson's big game verdict

The nation more than willingly bought into his summer dream.

But after the rude awakening of the Euros in Germany in June, came the realisation that Steve Clarke had sold us all a bit of a pup. Clarke promised he would be bold enough to trade blows with the big boys. And we believed. But we were left to squirm with embarrassment as he and his players got turfed out and lamented for being the most timid and toothless team in the competition.

That’s why the mood has turned against Scotland’s manager over these last three months and why he arrived back at Hampden last night to find almost all the goodwill is now pretty much exhausted. There’s a serious trust issue threatening to set in between the manager and the Tartan Army and Clarke has only one last chance to resolve it, in a Nations League campaign that began at home to Poland.

And even though it ended in the cruellest of defeats, this was the manager’s way of serving a reminder that he still knows best when it comes to looking after all of our best interests. Ultimately, two careless tackles, from Anthony Ralston in the first half and Grant Hanley in injury time, handed three points to the Poles from the penalty spot but this was a Scottish performance that deserved so much more than it got.

It was everything we wanted from Clarke and his players and a stark contrast to what they served up on the big stage just a few weeks ago. And it was enough to win back a support that had no idea what it was going to get. With this relationship on the line, Clarke stuck so stubbornly to his guns that it almost took the breath away ahead of kick-off when his team sheet was delivered.

These supporters have been crying out for him to release the handbrake for so long. But here he