Steve Clarke vows to persevere with three at the back with Kieran Tierney as left centre-back

But Israel draw shows need for attacking improvement

Scotland's Kieran Tierney gets away from Israel's Eran Zahavi. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA

Scotland manager Steve Clarke described himself as “reasonably pleased” after last night’s 1-1 draw with Israel that left him with as many questions as answers before next month’s re-match in the Euro 2020 semi-final play-off.

Scotland started their second Nations League campaign with a point on an eerie night at Hampden. There were no fans present to see Ryan Christie give Scotland the lead shortly before half-time from the penalty spot or to watch Israel equalise with 17 minutes left after an explosive shot from Eran Zahavi. They would have wondered whether to cheer or groan at the end after a night of mixed emotions.

“I am probably 50-50 if I am being honest,” said Clarke, who used a new three-man defensive system, afterwards. “There were a lot of good things from a very short period of time working on something different. Three training sessions during the week were good, I saw a lot of that transferred on to the pitch. I thought defensively we looked quite comfortable. But you have to say they looked quite comfortable defensively as well.

“There are things to work on attacking wise. I am reasonably satisfied but obviously disappointed not to get three points and a clean sheet.”

Clarke promised to return to the three-man defence that saw Kieran Tierney at left centre-half and Scott McTominay on the right with Scott McKenna in the middle. The switch was to allow both Tierney and skipper Andy Robertson to play on the left, with the Liverpool player at wing-back.

“I am definitely going to persevere with it, whether we use it in the next game (v Czech Republic on Monday) I do not know yet. Ideally I would like to have two systems that we can play in, I feel if you get stuck with one system you become one dimensional.”

He praised Lyndon Dykes, who made an impressive debut up front after choosing Scotland over his native Australia last month.

“I thought he was good,” he said. “He holds the ball up well. He is a target player and gets in there and wins headers and looks to run in behind. He is a proper centre forward.”

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