Scotland boss Steve Clarke says his three at the back formation can work with both Arsenal and Liverpool men Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson involved in it.
The two left-backs are undoubtedly Scotland’s’ best players at the moment, which leaves Clarke with a headache and questions to answer every time the international fixtures roll around.
Obviously they can’t both play left-back so changes have to be made. In fairness, neither of the two of them played that role under Clarke last time out, Arsenal’s full-back playing at centre-half whilst Liverpool’s slotted in at left-wing-back.
This was part of the Scotland boss’ 3-5-1-1 or 3-5-2 formation that was experimented with in September and it could be used again in Scotland’s triple-header next week. They face Israel in a massive Euro 2020 play-off match on October 8th.
Then two UEFA Nations League matches will take place, but everyone is well aware it’s the first game that’s of most importance to Scotland. Clarke, speaking at his press conference, says the Arsenal and Liverpool full-backs are able to operate effectively in the system.
“I thought both of them were very comfortable in the system we played the last time,” said Clarke. “Kieran’s playing on the left-hand side of a back three at the moment for Arsenal.
“Andy has played left-wing-back before. If you look at the goal that came about in the Czech Republic game, it was Andy breaking into the box.
“He was involved heavily in the second goal and Liam Palmer in the first. It shows that the system can work with the personnel that we’ve got and it gives me good options.”