Scotland Men's Football Team

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

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It is early doors for Scotland and Clarke. In fact, the 2026 World Cup campaign hasn't even started yet. But this whole affair had an air of end-of-season to it.

Losing your goalkeeper after two minutes is a huge disruption. So is throwing on one in Ipswich Town back-up Slicker who has only played 10 minutes of football since August 2023 and never appeared in a league game.

Clarke chose to experiment in his starting XI, but it was evolution rather than revolution with his changes.

Max Johnston didn't disgrace himself at right-wing back, Hirst was unfortunate not to get his goal, and Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller got his first cap.

However, Scotland had won all six previous meetings with Iceland and, even with taking a long season into , the Tartan Army would have expected more.

The few who were left inside Hampden at full-time articulated that clearly.

Next up is a trip to Liechtenstein on Monday - live on BBC Scotland if you're brave enough - before the proper stuff begins in September.

Right now, that feels a long way away. Even this far out, so does the prospect of a first World Cup since 1998.

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Scotland's Lewis Ferguson tells BBC Scotland: "It's been a long season for a lot of the lads but we're here to do a job.

"We set out to win the game but we're nowhere near the standard we, or anybody expects.

"We set our standards pretty high and we were nowhere near that. We conceded sloppy goals from set pieces and that's just not good enough, it gives us too much to do."

Scotland defender John Souttar tells BBC Scotland: "It was a tough night, didn't go at all how we wanted it to go.

"We wanted to dominate and take the ball to them and we didn't do that tonight. We conceded a poor goal before half-time and they went 3-1 up after the break and we never got going at all. It's one we'll need to look back on tomorrow, we're aware it's not good enough.

"We need to go and win the game [against Lichtenstein], put on a performance and get a bit of momentum back going into the September internationals."

On fans booing the side, he adds: "Obviously it's not great. You don't want to be part of that, but the fans pay their money, they can boo if they want.

"If we weren't good enough in the first half, I'm sure they can do what they want. Yes, it's not great to hear, but it's part and parcel when we win, they're behind us, so it's part and parcel of football."

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Scotland captain Andy Robertson tells BBC Scotland: "I think we all know that's nowhere near good enough.

"I don't want to say too much, we need to digest this and speak in the changing room before we start doing interviews.

"I think we were too easily played through, any chance they had they scored. We weren't good enough on the ball, created chances but didn't take them. Nowhere near good enough.

"Getting beat 3-1 at home by a team that, no disrespect, you should beat but they've been better than us. I imagine they've had more possession, I'd imagine more chances, they've got more goals and that's all that matters.

"I don't think you can put a finger on one thing but we need to get it right pretty quickly."

Steve Clarke praises the title-winning players in his Scotland squad such as Napoli's Scott McTominay and Max Johnson of Strum Graz and says it shows the benefits of being prepared to "leave their comfort zone" by moving abroad.

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Head coach Steve Clarke says Scotland "should be grateful" they have Kieran Tierney as the incoming Celtic defender prepares for his 50th cap.

The 28-year-old, who returns to Parkhead this summer following his Arsenal exit, is set to reach the milestone when the Scots face Iceland - live on the BBC - on Friday night at Hampden.

Despite suffering injury issues in recent years, Tierney's versatility to play at left-back and on the left of a back three has been vital throughout Clarke's reign.

"Kieran is a top, top player, we're lucky to have him," said Clarke, whose side will also face Lichtenstein on Monday.

"In recent years, he's had one or two little injury issues that have probably restricted his number of caps.

"I going down to London to meet him when he'd just moved to Arsenal to speak to him about his role within the squad and what we expected from him.

"Since then, myself and Kieran have had a really good relationship. So we should be grateful we've got him and hopefully it doesn't stop at 50 and the caps keep coming.

"There are many players in the squad now who are on over 50 caps and Kieran's just another one to add to that."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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International friendly: Scotland v Iceland

When: Friday, 6 June Where: Hampden Park Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app, online text updates, listen on BBC Radio Scotland

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been speaking to the media before the friendly against Iceland at Hampden on Friday night.

Here are the key points:

• Clarke says it is beneficial to have friendlies, although he hinted he won't be experimenting too much with personnel. The "biggest thing" for him is that everyone has turned up - "one or two could made some excuses" - and all want to play.

• On Kieran Tierney, who is set to win his 50th cap on Friday: "A top, top player, and we're lucky to have him". Clarke adds that if it wasn't for injuries, Tierney would have more caps.

• While not inclined to experiment much with his line-up, Clarke says there has to be a cycle and turnover of players, but youngsters are being brought in to experience what it's like being in the camp and understand where they need to get to for selection.

• Clarke adds it's important not to "discard" players who've been relatively successful over the years.

• He says one or two players involved in the last camp, such as Max Johnston, have come into this one with more confidence. "You can tell immediately he's maturing," says Clarke of Johnston.

• No striker has scored for Scotland in the past 11 games, but Clarke refuses to be "too harsh" on them, insisting they play a certain way to link the play and bring the midfield into the final third. "They make a major contribution to getting the goals."

• Clarke is at a loss to explain Scotland's poor record in friendlies - one win in nine - and says it would be nice to change that in the next two games.

• He says Iceland will be tough opponents despite the disappointment of their Nations League play-off defeat by Kosovo. They "have a threat" and will want to have a go, so he's expecting an entertaining night.