Glum Steve Clarke storms out of BBC interview after Scotland loss to Brazil | Football | Sport
Steve Clarke walked out of his post-match interview (Image: BBC)
Scotland manager Steve Clarke stormed out of an interview with the BBC just minutes after defeat to Brazil left their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. The Scots knew a draw in Miami would see them into the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time in their history. But a Vinicius Junior first-half brace and Matheus Cunha’s goal subjected them to a 3-0 loss in Miami, and means their prospects of playing in the round of 32 are reliant on favours elsewhere.
Scotland can still qualify as one of the best third-placed teams but have a -3 goal difference which leaves them vulnerable to being leapfrogged as other countries play out their remaining group games in North America over the coming days. Speaking on the pitch moments after Scotland’s damaging defeat, head coach Clarke told BBC reporter Eilidh Barbour: “We made it difficult for ourselves, that’s it.” He added in response to a second question: “We gave them the goals, we gave them the game they wanted. Disappointing.”
Clarke was then asked for his thoughts on the anxious wait he and his Scotland players now face, a question which he refused to answer. He replied: “I don’t even want to think about that! Sorry, I don’t need to think about that,” before walking away out of shot.
The Beeb were then forced to cut back to Kelly Cates in their studio back in Salford. But Clarke was excused for walking out of the interview in the heat of the moment after another disappointing performance and result from his team. The players delighted the Tartan Army by beating Haiti 1-0 in their Group C opener last week before losing 1-0 to Morocco and then 3-0 to Brazil.
Later in the BBC broadcast, Clarke returned for a second, longer conversation with Barbour, where he said: “I think you saw their [Brazil’s] quality in the final third of the pitch. We didn’t have that tonight. We created some chances but didn’t take them. Let’s be honest, the best team won.
“Unbelievable shift that the players put in, the ones playing 90 minutes in that heat and humidity were outstanding. But we have to be better if we want to compete at this level. We actually started the first four or five minutes moving the ball quite nicely and settling into the game alright.
“Then we make a mistake like that. You cannot do that at this level because it puts you on the back foot and then it becomes a long night.”
Asked to assess Scotland’s chances of making the next round, Clarke said: “Yeah, for me, for sure, I think we’re going home. Only Scotland can get a wonderful first game then get number five in the world and number six in the world as their next two games! That’s the level we’re at.”
When Barbour signed off the interview by saying, “Steve thank you very much, hopefully we do get see you again!” Clarke said: “Hopefully Ellie! Thank you.”
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Steve Clarke was visibly annoyed with the question he was asked (Image: BBC)
Steve Clarke walked away after being asked about Scotland’s anxious wait (Image: BBC)
Captain Andy Robertson, who was taken off at half-time with an injury, similarly said to the Beeb: “We started the game well and were keeping the ball pushed up the pitch. They put us in a false sense of security and we thought we had more time on the ball.
“We then get punished, we’re 1-0 down and you have to try and fight back. But we knew we were up against a real quality team. We’re just off the pitch but the initial reaction is one of frustration because in certain moments, we let ourselves down. We couldn’t quite afford to do that.
“At times we were comfortable on the ball and at times we got ourselves in dangerous areas. We had a couple of chances. At this stage, against these teams, we can’t afford to make the mistakes we’re making.
“Unfortunately we’re being punished for pretty much every mistake we’ve made. That’s the most frustrating thing. At times we did play some nice stuff but it’s not good enough when you then go and get beat 3-0. Frustrating night. We’ve only got ourselves to blame. Time will tell.
“We need to take a day or two and see what’s happened. We didn’t want to put ourselves in a position where we watch every game and hope for favours and hope this team score and all that.
“We’ve put ourselves in a really difficult situation. If you ask me now, I don’t think it’s enough. I don’t think we’ve done enough. But time will tell, maybe I’ll be proved wrong and we’ll get another shot at it. I hope that’s the case.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson was forced off at half-time with an injury (Image: Getty)
John McGinn addresses the Scotland fans after their defeat (Image: Getty)
“The next couple of days are going to be horrible and long, but this is the situation we’ve put ourselves in so we have to deal with it.”
While midfielder John McGinn added: “Gutted obviously. To lose more goals at poor times against a team that can punish you with quality… We had a few chances to get a goal ourselves which would have been important at the end but we’ve just got to wait now.
“You can see the lads are gutted. We fell short on quality tonight but we gave it absolutely everything. The lads are empty now. If we’re to go through, we’ll have to see over the next few days. We’ve given ourselves a more difficult chance. It’s unlikely now, I would say, but we’ll see.
“In moments, Brazil hurt you. They allowed us to have the play and at this level if you make mistakes, you get punished. This is the top level. We probably got fortunate with the goal that got disallowed. We know we have to be better. We just need to wait and see now.
“It’s a bit raw at the minute but we appreciate the support of the fans. We know how difficult it is to be here and hopefully the journey’s not over. They’ve been absolutely outstanding and if we’re to go again, we’ll go again.”
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