Newcastle star put back on Scotland agenda as Steve Clarke told to move heaven and earth for rapid Toon ace

Former Manchester United and Celtic hero Brian McClair is adamant that Steve Clarke is still the best man to lead the Scotland national team despite a dismal run of results.

Scotland have just one win in their last 14 matches - a 2-0 win against Gibraltar - and they enter this international break with a host of injury problems as they prepare to face Portugal and Croatia. Many were also left disappointed at the manner of Scotland’s group stage exit in Euro 2024, but 30-cap wonder McClair believes time is of the essence with Clarke.

He told SportBoom: "I do think Steve Clarke is still the right man to lead the team. There’s a good barometer of these games, and I think it was the fact that the Tartan Army stayed so late to applaud the team after the performance in Lisbon said a lot.”

"Every defeat is painful, but I think in the context of the opposition and the top level of these groups that Scotland are in, it was always going to be difficult. Rather than dwell on the results of those games, I think it’s the performances that are more encouraging, after that terrible effort in the summer. So there’s encouragement there I think, a lot of encouragement.”

Scotland are missing more than 10 players with injury heading into the international break, including stars such as Kieran Tierney, Lewis Ferguson and John McGinn. McClair has urged Clarke to try and look at adding players with pace into the international setup and has claimed that Newcastle United star Harvey Barnes would be the perfect fit.

"From a Scotland point of view, I think that they should be doing everything they can to persuade Harvey Barnes that his international future lies north of the border. Not even that far north, as he’s playing his football for Newcastle now. He’s one that I think would make a big difference, because of his pace and his attacking style.” McClair explained.

The 26-year-old has been capped for England on one occasion back in 2020 but is still eligible to represent Scotland through his grandparents. Barnes has admitted that he hasn’t closed the door on Scotland despite also representing the Three Lions at U20 and U21 level.

The in-form winger told The Times in August: Well I’m still eligible to play for Scotland. There’s been one or two conversations, but there’s not been too much detail into that.

"To be honest, I haven’t really brought it in as part of my thought process yet. It’s not really been a serious conversation, so it’s not something I’ve really thought too much on. But I know I am still eligible to play for Scotland.”

Asked if an international career with England didn't occur, he added: “Then I’d still be eligible to play for Scotland.”

The winger was then all smiles when asked if he liked the sound of 'Harvey McBarnes'. He said: “It’s something I haven’t really thought about. And I especially have been out of the picture for England for a while now, the main focus is to get back, first of all playing for Newcastle, and then see what happens.”

Barnes has a record of three goals and one assist in his opening seven league matches this year. In September, he was awarded Newcastle’s Player of the Month award after a string of solid displays.