Alan Pattullo: Watch who you’re calling Clarkey

Scotland boss Steve Clarke shows steely side
Scotland manager Steve Clarke. Picture: Rob Casey/SNSScotland manager Steve Clarke. Picture: Rob Casey/SNS
Scotland manager Steve Clarke. Picture: Rob Casey/SNS

Steve Clarke’s recent question and answer session for Scotland Supporters’ Club members was refreshing for those of us quickly turned off by the fake chumminess prevalent on radio phone-ins.

One bold fan – Ricky from Ayr – had the temerity to refer to the national team manager as “Clarkey” when posing a question about former Ayr United centre-half Michael Rose, who is now playing for Coventry City.

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As the question was read out, Clarke’s expression quickly communicated this had not been a good idea.

“I am not sure he knows me well enough to call me Clarkey,” said the Scotland manager, before electing to “let him off” perhaps on account of their shared Ayrshire roots.

It was, though, a pleasing antidote to those Radio Five Live callers who assume intimacy with the presenters to the extent that it’s “Wrighty” this and “Chappers” that.

Clarke is one of the nicest men you could met but there’s an evident steeliness that suggests he won’t allow anyone to mess him around. This applies to Ricky from Ayr as much as Robert Snodgrass from London, whose recent suggestion he could be persuaded to come back (again) for Scotland was given short shrift.

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