Scotland talisman in tribute to ‘unbelievable’ Steve…

Scotland talisman in tribute to ‘unbelievable’ Steve Clarke as manager pens new deal

Grant Hanley has paid a glowing tribute to Scotland manager Steve Clarke for keeping faith in him throughout his playing career and handing him the opportunity to represent his country at the World Cup.

Hibernian centre-half Hanley has struggled with injuries and a lack of game time at club level during Clarke’s record-breaking seven year reign in charge of the national team.

But the former Newcastle United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa assistant has always started the Dumfries-born defender, including at the Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 finals, when he has been fit.

The 66-times capped 34-year-old, who is set to feature in the World Cup warm-up match against Curacao at Hampden on Saturday, appreciates the backing which he has received from the Ayrshireman.

He was pleased earlier today when he learned the 62-year-old had signed a new deal with the SFA and will manage his country up until the 2030 World Cup finals in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.

“From my point of view, he's certainly been unbelievable for me, the faith and the trust he's shown in me,” he said. “He's been bringing me in and playing me consistently. Even at times when I was really struggling with injuries and things like that.

“Sometimes in the last few years I haven't really played any. But he's always shown a lot of trust in me, so certainly I will always be grateful for everything the manager's done for me.”

Hanley played in Scotland’s historic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden in November – a joyously-celebrated triumph which clinched a place at their first World Cup finals since France ’98.

Grant Hanley takes part in a Scotland training session at Lesser Hampden (Image: PA)

He was just six when Craig Brown’s men took part in that tournament and is excited that he has the chance to do something that players like Scot Brown, Darren Fletcher, James McFadden and Kenny Miller were unable to.

“I don't really remember a lot about France ‘98 to be honest, but it's probably my earliest memory of football,” he said. “I just remember Scotland playing a World Cup, which clearly means it's a long time ago given my age and where I'm at in my career.

“It's been a long time coming. I think probably when you start playing football this is the goal - to be involved in a World Cup. It is for me personally and I know the rest of the squad will tell you the same.

“As a nation we've had some top players over the years that haven't managed to make it. For the squad, I think we're grateful for that opportunity. Again, I think it's down to everybody involved that we've managed to achieve that. It's a big achievement getting to a World Cup, but the focus now is on doing ourselves justice and being successful."

Hanley continued, “The end of the season was exciting and that probably made it go a bit quicker. Obviously, now everybody's attention will be turning to what's ahead in the summer that we've got coming up.

“Just in general life, you can start to feel that bit of buzz. You can see more and more people with Scotland strips on the streets and things like that. It's certainly something that everybody's looking forward to.”

Scotland lost their March friendlies against Japan at Hampden and Ivory Coast at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool by identical 1-0 scorelines and Hanley believes it is important the national team get positive results in their forthcoming fixtures against Curacao and Bolivia.

“Tournament football is clearly results-based,” he said. “Going into the friendlies, it'll be nice to get to pick up some results. But obviously from a squad point of view, we'll be working on different things. But we’ll be looking at performing as well and clearly results will be nice.”

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