Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign ended with a bit of a whimper but did have former Celtic hero, Chris Sutton, asking questions about the manager, Steve Clarke.
Or more specifically, the Scotland boss’ treatment of Celtic winger, James Forrest.
Called up to the Euro 2024 squad for his superb late-season form for Celtic, Forrest would have been hoping to add to the 39 caps he already has for Scotland in the big summer tournament in Germany.
With Scotland suffering a heavy defeat against the Germans, that meant in their last two games against Switzerland and Hungary, the Scots needed to pick up four points to qualify from the group.
And as Steve Clarke recovered against Switzerland and stumbled against Hungary, Forrest was left kicking his heels on the Scotland bench and that left Sutton feeling ‘gutted’ for the Celtic hero.
Sutton ‘not sure’ what Steve Clarke was doing with Forrest
Scotland needed goals to secure their place in the Euros and with the forward line being shot-shy in the tournament, Forrest should have been called upon, but wasn’t, and Sutton was less than happy about it.
Taking to social media channel X, Sutton said, “Gutted for Scotland. However, I’m not sure why Steve Clarke didn’t use James Forrest when the team struggled to create chances all tournament.
“Looking at the Armstrong pen claim, Armstrong more interested in trying to get the defender to bundle into him than trying to shoot…”
Forrest was pivotal for Celtic towards the end of last season as his performances and goals helped seal a league and Scottish Cup double.
The Celtic winger is a big-game player and for Clarke not to use him at any stage in the tournament verges on the border of being criminal.
But as Forrest returns to Celtic, I’m willing to bet that this won’t be the last bit of criticism Clarke will get for neglecting to utilise the Hoops legend.