Steve Clarke has encouraged his Scotland players to spend time with their families in a quest to get them in the best possible frame of mind for Friday’s World Cup clash with Morocco.
Before flying to America work went in to finding ways to improve on the disappointing performances at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Finding ways to ease the pressure and relax players between games was identified as a key change.
In contrast with the last two tournaments the squad have been given more down time to spend with wives and partners and children after training sessions at their Charlotte training base.
“Before the tournament there was so much work that went into it in terms of what players want and what they need, and what they didn’t like before,” revealed coach Steven Naismith.
“The families have been brought closer and there’s a lot more family time, having periods of real hard work and then periods where they can go and relax.
“That takes the pressure value off where they’re not just constantly thinking about football.
“It’s worked well because I think you can see it with everybody.”
After opening their Group C account with a 1-0 win over Haiti in Boston management and players returned to the familiar surroundings of North Carolina to prepare at Charlotte FC’s Atrium Health Performance Centre.
Their return was delayed disruption to travel after stormy conditions on the east coast of America on Sunday. Even that failed to disrupt a relaxed vibe around the camp.
“We were on the training pitch at 9.30pm. The session was brilliant and that was guys who could have been unhappy at not getting on.
“Everybody is just so focused because it’s a working day. Then they’ll have their down time when the time is right.”
For past Scotland managers, granting time off to players was a dangerous business. After a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica at Italia 90 front page headlines followed claims that striker Mo Johnston and midfielder Jim Bett had allegedly breached a curfew to go drinking close to the base camp in Rapallo. Naismith is confident that the current group of players can be trusted to stick to the rules set down by the management.
“Was it different when I was a player? We never got to a tournament so I don’t know…
“But the professionalism of the players now is as high as it’s going to be.
“You can see the rewards you can get. Every kid from the age of ten is a mini-professional now. So the challenge of keeping players out of the pub or anything like that is now there now.
“But we’ve also had seven years our togetherness with a core group who lead.
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“Now the manager can stay ‘go and do what you want,’ without a fear or what’s coming or what’s going to derail anything. That’s not going to happen now.
“After the Haiti game we came back, had food and went to bed. Everyone was then up first thing to see their families for the day.
“That tells you everything about it.
“At previous tournaments there’s not been that aspect of just being a dad, being a husband, being a son. That’s not been there.
“The Thursday before the game, we were in Boston and the families came to the hotel.
“In previous times that wouldn’t have happened. We’d have felt we have to be so focused.
“But that subconscious focus all the time drains you. And what we’ve been doing has been working so long may it continue.”
Despite claiming three points against Haiti there is an acknowledgement that the performance could have been more controlled. Tense and edgy in the final stages, Naismith suspects an element of human nature. While the current group of players are untainted by the failure of past World Cups, many had played at back to back Euros and failed to win a game.
Warned by all and sundry that Haiti was a must win, the monkey is off their back now.
“I think they’re more relaxed," said Naismith.
“We have ticked a few boxes and now have a win at a World Cup group stage.
“We have points. I just think the longer you’re in the tournament, the familiarity increases and everything settles.
“So, yes, I would expect everybody to be a bit more relaxed.”
It’s not just the players. Clarke himself has spoken of making a concerted effort to enjoy this tournament more and to convey that to the players more than he managed with the last two and those working by his side can see the evidence of a change. Of sorts.
“On one hand yeah, on the other hand he keeps everyone on their toes inside the camp. Day to day he is demanding. But as he said, I think there have been conversations before about tournaments and what has been good, what’s not been good. What can we do better, what can we not?
“That’s from the manager, it’s from the set-up, it’s from the schedule and where we stay and how our days run. I think that process has been excellent. I’ve not been part of the previous tournaments but in this one the majority of the decisions have been good. The manager recognises how much his mood will affect everyone else. It’s been a great three weeks.”
