Steve Clarke has dismissed Jamie Redknapp as a rent-a-gob pundit for accusing Scotland’s players of dragging Andy Robertson down to their level.
Former England and Liverpool man Redknapp sunk the boot into Clarke’s squad after last month’s double header defeats against Russia and Belgium when he blamed their lack of ability for Robertson’s failure to replicate his stunning Anfield form in a dark blue shirt.
Now the national boss has gone against his better judgement by blasting back at Redknapp ahead of tomorrow night’s return trip to Moscow.
Clarke bristled: “If I go down the route of answering one pundit then I have to answer every single pundit who comes out with something that they’re paid to say.
"He’s a paid pundit, he’s got his opinion and Jamie also has a Liverpool connection so maybe he’s tried to protect Andy a little bit.
"But Andy is a big boy. He doesn’t need protecting. Every time I name a squad Andy is the first to reply, ‘When is it gaffer? I’ll see you there!’.
“So I’m not going to go down the route of talking about every pundit who has something bad to say about the national team. The only way to stop them saying bad things is to start winning games. I don’t hide from that fact.”
Robertson was appointed Scotland captain by former boss Alex McLeish after becoming a first team stalwart with Jurgen Klopp’s superstars.
And Clarke believes his status on Merseyside has made him an obvious target.
Redknapp had said: “Football is always easier when you are playing with better players, The quality just isn’t there in Scotland right now.”
And Clarke went on: “Like I said, If I go down that route then the next pundit will see that I’ve had a little bite back.
"They’ll want to say something as well to see if they get a bite back because that raises their profile as a pundit.
“Pundits are paid to say what they say.
“Andy takes a lot of responsibility on himself, the fact that he is such a high profile player. He is the captain of the squad and he takes a lot on himself.
"He should be commended for that rather than criticised. He wants the team to do well and he’s determined to lead us to Euro 2020.
"That’s a great attribute to have from your captain and one of your key players.”
