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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

Steve Clarke reveals Andy Robertson Scotland doubt as he gives himself thinking time before Slovakia clash

Scotland's jubilant Belgrade knees-up won't impact Steve Clarke's team selection for Sunday's Nations League match in Slovakia.

But the victorious national team boss insists changes will be necessary after going the distance against Serbia just three days earlier.

The Scotland squad celebrated long into the night after breaking a 23-year wait to qualify for a national finals following their penalty shootout win but Clarke insists any coming changes are more down to their efforts on the pitch than in the hotel after the game.

When asked if he will need to rotate the team more than usual, he said: "The short answer is yes.

"The long answer probably takes in the fact the celebrations wouldn't have anything to do with it. It was a good celebration but it wasn't crazy, it wasn't silly and over the top.

"It was a physically draining game but emotionally also very, very draining for the players who were out on the pitch.

"I will give them another 24 hours and speak to three or four players who I have maybe got a doubt about going again after such a tough game, and then I will come up with a team selection that hopefully gets us another three points."

It was reported that some of the squad carried on until 5am after their historic win, while Slovakia also qualified for Euro 2020 by beating Northern Ireland on the same night.

Clarke added: "The celebrations stopped on the night. To be fair to the players and the staff, we did enjoy ourselves. It was a good night. But they broke up naturally.

"It was a long game, 120 minutes, so the players were physically and emotionally very tired.

"We enjoyed the celebrations as we should do after such a long wait, but we trained this morning and it was a good training session, getting ready for the game.

"Lyndon Dykes is suspended and we have one or two knocks and niggles. Andy Robertson will be the most doubtful."

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