Scotland v Israel: Steve Clarke has big call to make on his keeper after Jon McLaughlin’s strong start at Rangers

National boss must also decide whether to give debut to Lyndon Dykes

Rangers keeper Jon McLaughlin during a Scotland training session at the Oriam. Picture: Alan Harvey / SNS

Steve Clarke insists it is pointless treating Friday night’s Group B Nations League opener against Israel as a dress rehearsal for what most fans will argue is the more important clash against the same opponents next month.

The teams are due to meet once more in four weeks’ time for a Euro 2020 semi-final play-off clash. Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for a major finals for the first time since 1998 will be extinguished if they lose that one-off tie to Israel.

“Next month’s game is a separate competition, it’s a knockout, one-off game that will be played in a completely different manner and in a different way with a different mentality,” said the Scotland manager.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke, centre, with assistants John Carver, left, a recent addition to his coaching team, and Steven Reid. Picture: Alan Harvey / SNS

“It’s a different competition and one-off games tend to look after themselves a little bit so we’ll leave that one until next month and focus on trying to get this Nations League campaign off to a good start with three points at home.”

Scotland are bidding to extend their winning run to four games nine-and-a-half months after their last fixture – a 3-1 win against Kazakhstan. A pandemic has interrupted the undoubted progress of Clarke’s side but the enforced hiatus has allowed new options to emerge.

Lyndon Dykes is in line to make his debut up front after deciding to choose to play international football for Scotland rather than Australia.

Clarke also spoke very positively of Oli Burke, whose last game came against Barcelona while on loan at Alaves from West Bromwich Albion in July. The Scotland manager said the forward looked “very, very sharp” in training.

Lyndon Dykes during Scotland training at Oriam. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNS

Clarke must decide whether the whirlwind nature of the last few weeks has taken a toll on Dykes, who joined Queens Park Rangers from Livingston for £2 million last month.

“He’s come into the camp and has settled in well,” said Clarke. “He’s been a little bit quiet around the place, obviously it is strange surroundings for him. It’s been a hectic two weeks for the lad with his move to London. He’s been down there looking at places and I’ve just tried to make it a nice, quiet easy week for him, just let him settle into the squad and not put too much pressure on him or ask too many questions. He’s done well and he’s shown up well in training, which is good.”

Clarke admitted he was still swithering over one position. He planned to “sleep on it” before making a decision.

The manager has a big call to make regarding his goalkeeper. David Marshall has been his favoured No 1 since taking charge but Jon McLaughlin has enjoyed a strong start to his career at Rangers.

“It is always a decision to make on the goalkeepers,” said Clarke. “It is obviously a specialist position so myself and (keeper coach) Stevie Woods will have a good chat about it and see which way we go.”

Clarke confirmed that Scotland players will take a knee prior to kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matters movement.

“Obviously the squad thinks it is very important that we do that,” he said. “It is the first time as a country we have had the chance to do that. We support equality and everything that goes with that message.

“It is very, very important. Israel are going to do it as well. It is important that everyone shows they are right behind Black Lives Matters.”