Scotland’s players will discuss taking a knee with England in a show of solidarity against racism in their Euro 2020 clash.
In March, Steve Clarke ’s team stood instead of kneeling prior to kick-off against Austria at Hampden but after England’s players were booed for taking a knee in their friendly against the Austrians at The Riverside in midweek, Scotland could now change tack for the Euros.
England boss Gareth Southgate blasted the boo-boys and vowed his players will continue to take the knee.
Clarke has revealed that he will speak with his players before taking a final decision.
He said: “It’s a conversation I’ll have with the players before we play our first game.
“Then we’ll decide what way we’re going to do it throughout the Euros.
“Whether that’s to take a stand against racism or take a knee, we’ll decide as a squad and then we’ll carry it on throughout the tournament.”
England boss Southgate is braced for more dissent but after meeting with senior players and addressing the full squad, it was decided that they will continue to take the knee regardless.
He said: “We feel more than ever that we are determined to take the knee.
“We accept that there might be an adverse reaction but we’re going to ignore that and move forward.
“I think those people should put themselves in the shoes of those young players and how they must feel.
“If that was their children – if they’re old enough to have children – how would they feel about their kids being in that situation? The most important thing for our players is for them to know we are totally united on it.”
Meanwhile, Clarke has insisted that John Fleck’s self-isolation with coronavirus won’t hinder his chances of featuring at the tournament.
The Sheffield United midfielder tested positive for Covid shortly after arriving at Scotland ’s training camp in Spain last week and has been forced to stay in his hotel room since.
He is not expected to fly back to the team’s HQ in Middlesbrough until Wednesday but Clarke said: “Could it impact his chances of playing in the tournament? No, is the straightforward answer to that.
“Depending on how he works when he gets to camp, the first game might be too soon. After that, it won’t be a problem. It’s something we’ve had to deal with and we did.”
