Soccer

Clarke hopeful of Tierney return as Czechs leave Scots up Schick's Creek

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has urged his side to be more clinical, after a Patrik Schick brace sa...

Richie McCormack

@richiemccormack

Soccer

Richie McCormack

@richiemccormack

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has urged his side to be more clinical, after a Patrik Schick brace saw them lose to the Czech Republic at Euro 2020.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker broke Scottish hearts, with his second goal a wonder-strike from just inside the hosts' half at Hampden.

Schick's first in terms of execution was just as fine, as he directed a Vladimir Coufal cross past David Marshall in the Scotland goal.

"I think the breaks went against us at the wrong time," Clarke said after the game.

"Obviously losing a goal five-minutes before half-time from a second phase off a set play was disappointing for us - we normally defend that quite well.

"That was a blow. We came out second half - we tried to get back in it. Jack [Hendry] hit the bar, and then Jack had another shot that got blocked, fell straight to their striker and he produced a marvellous finish.

"From there, it becomes a long and a difficult afternoon.

"I thought we showed good invention. We had chances to get back into the game, and if we could have made it 2-1 it could have made a different end to the afternoon.

"Disappointed, but on to the next one."

An early goal of the tournament contender by Patrick Schik from just inside the Scottish half to double the Czech lead #SCO 0-2 #CZE #SCOCZE #EURO2020 #RTEsoccer

📱 Live updates - https://t.co/3miZR6deFJ

📺 Watch live - https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE pic.twitter.com/7aJ4zUo5gv

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 14, 2021

Kieran Tierney missed out on a place in the matchday squad with what Clarke described in a pre-match interview as a "niggle".

Asked if the Arsenal defender could return against England at Wembley on Friday, the Scotland manager replied, "He's got a chance.

"We'll work on him over the next few days, and he's got a chance of being fit for Friday."

However, in a separate interview with the BBC, Clarke warned, "I wouldn't be getting over-excited about it."

He added, "He's been good, and an integral part of how we've played recently.

"Listen, the boys that came in I thought we defender - by and large - well. You take out the set play and the wonder-strike, or the clever play for their striker, then we defended reasonably well. We missed Kieran."