What Steve Clarke said to Che Adams after Scotland sub and why he will be so important against Ireland

Too much work went into recruiting Che Adams to discard him again after a few, goal-less games.

The striker’s frustrations were certainly visible on Wednesday night against Armenia. It was the sort of night when a striker might expect to bolster any sapping confidence.

As was highlighted when the starting XI was announced prior to the World Cup play-off semi-final defeat to Ukraine, Adams and Lyndon Dykes, Scotland's principal strikers, had one goal between them since February for club and country. That remains the case.

If it was an issue last week – and many believed it was – then it remains an issue now. Dykes missed out through injury against Armenia on Wednesday when goals from defenders Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna secured a much-needed 2-0 win in the Hampden rain against very moderate opponents.

The Queens Park Rangers striker has now left the Scotland camp, which means the responsibility lies more squarely on Adams’ shoulders.

Or at least he clearly feels that way. Clarke, however, has moved to ease Adams’ fears on that front. As underlined in midweek, it’s just as likely that a wing-back or full back can emerge as the match winner in the modern game. Adams’ four goals in 17 appearances since making his debut in the 2-2 draw with Austria at the start of last year is still reasonable for a Scotland international striker. But he hasn’t scored in his last 15 games since finding the net in February for Southampton against Norwich.

The 25-year-old cut a frustrated figure when he left the park – eventually. Clarke had been planning to make a double substitution around the 80th minute but it just happened to coincide with Armenia’s best spell of possession in the match.

Adams and Ryan Christie were eventually able