Has there ever been a more welcome shift in mood for a Scotland camp Just weeks ago, Steve Clarke's men arrived for Euro 2024 carrying a fog of uncert...
Has there ever been a more welcome shift in mood for a Scotland camp Just weeks ago, Steve Clarke's men arrived for Euro 2024 carrying a fog of uncertainty. Key players were out of sorts. The rhythm was broken. A poor run of results had left supporters bracing for the worst. What followed was as grim as feared; a tournament exit that confirmed the worst suspicions about the squad's depth and sharpness.Yet here we are, barely a few weeks later, looking at a side transformed by the simplest of remedies: goals. Eight of them, across two friendly wins over Curacao and Bolivia. Before anyone scoffs at the standard of opposition, consider what the scoreline does for the psychology of a dressing room. Lawrence Shankland, never one for empty rhetoric, put it plainly: there is a 'club feel' in the camp now, a togetherness that had been frayed by the summer's disappointments. That kind of solidarity cannot be coached; it is forged in moments like these, when a finisher slots three past a ragged defence or a midfield runner times his break into the box perfectly.Tactically, the picture is brighter too. Clarke has been experimenting with a higher defensive line and quicker transitional play, trusting his centre backs to step up while the full backs push on. Against Bolivia, this approach paid dividends: the pressing was aggressive, the passing crisp, and the clinical finishing a welcome departure from the wasteful displays of June. The jaded legs have been replaced by youthful enthusiasm and a clear sense of purpose. No more hesitant sideways possession; this is a team that looks to move the ball forward with intent, even if the opposition's lack of motivation helped make it look easier.Of course, the real test comes on Saturday against Haiti. That is where the real World Cup qualifying push begins. The friendlies have served their purpose: they have sharpened the selection dilemmas and given Clarke a clearer idea of his strongest eleven. The grey areas are gone. Now it is down to the players to carry that renewed belief onto the pitch when the stakes are real. One thing is certain: after the gloom of summer, Scotland go into their opener with a swagger we have not seen in months. That alone is worth celebrating.
