Steve Clarke bemoans ‘painful’ loss as Scotland crumble against the Netherlands

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Steve Clarke spoke of his ache after Scotland misplaced 4-0 to the Netherlands of their pleasant encounter in Amsterdam which served as the beginning of preparations for Euro 2024.

The guests began effectively and hit the objective body by means of Ryan Christie however the Dutch took the lead 5 minutes from the break with a Tijjani Reijnders drive.

Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland hit the bar within the 62nd minute with solely goalkeeper Mark Flekken to beat they usually have been made to pay 10 minutes later when Georginio Wijnaldum headed in a second.

Objectives from substitutes Wout Weghorst and Donyell Malen within the 84th and 86th minutes then made it six video games with out a win for the Scots, with 18 targets conceded forward of the pleasant towards Northern Eire at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening.

Scotland haven’t gone six matches with out a win since a run from October 2007 to September 2008 and Clarke stated: “We misplaced 4-0 which is painful.

“The gamers are struggling and I’m struggling however there was lot of fine stuff, we have been very aggressive with an excellent Dutch workforce for 70 minutes.

“It’s quite a lot of targets (18) and in the event you concede that quantity of targets you aren’t going to win video games.

“We spoke about it earlier than so clearly we all know we’ve to tighten up.

“The response to the second objective so most likely one thing we want to consider, how we dig in and present we’re laborious to beat and if it finishes 2-0 it finishes 2-0.

“Now we have to be a bit extra streetwise towards the highest groups and they’re a high workforce.

“I didn’t say lots after it, when feelings are as excessive as they’re after a sore defeat it’s higher to return to the resort.

“I’ll sit with my employees, analyse the sport and attempt to put together one thing that we will present to the gamers tomorrow.

“No wins in six so we’ve to cease that on Tuesday evening.

“However there’s a lot to be optimistic about. Individuals can have a look at the scoreline and go unfavorable, that’s as much as them.

“For 70 minutes… actually aggressive towards a high facet, we will take lots from that. Now we have to analyse the final 20 minutes or so and look to do higher.”

There had been a clamour for Shankland to start out and regardless of his evident miss, Clarke gave his backing to the Hearts captain.

He stated: “He’s a striker, individuals neglect strikers miss lots in addition to rating quite a lot of targets, they gave to be in the correct place and do the correct factor.

“Lawrence will rating targets sooner or later.

“I believed his all-round play was good, he didn’t let his facet down.”