Steve Clarke has suffered mixed fortunes with the Premier League TV picks ahead of Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-off as skipper Andy Robertson’s fixture remained on the Saturday while Stuart Armstrong’s has been pushed back 24 hours.
But that could still change again if Liverpool and Arsenal reach the FA Cup quarter finals with the last eight due to take place on the weekend preceding Scotland’s clash with Israel.
Clarke is desperate for as many of his squad not to be involved in Sunday action before their Hampden showdown against Israel on March 26 to give his players as much rest as possible.
And he will be grateful that captain Robertson’s fixture with Liverpool will stay on Saturday, March 21 despite their Anfield clash against Crystal Palace being selected for live TV coverage and kicking off at 5.30pm.
But there is no such luck with Stuart Armstrong after the sizzling Southampton midfielder’s clash with Arsenal - still without the injured Kieran Tierney but battling to be fit for the Israel clash - at St Mary’s was selected for live TV coverage on the Sunday with a 4.30pm kick off.
Armstrong has been in scintillating form with two goals in his last three outings and could have a key role to play with Scott McTominay and John McGinn facing a race to be fit.
However, both games are subject to change with the FA Cup quarter finals being staged that weekend and Clarke will be hoping there is still a chance of Armstrong and Robertson both playing on the Saturday.
He has asked the SPFL to consider a Friday night fixture card to give his homebased players an extra 24 hours to rest, although the Old Firm clubs’ games that weekend will be depend on their Europa League involvement.
