Scotland boss Steve Clarke recalls having to tell Sheffield Wednesday man he was not in Euro 2020 squad
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But the former West Brom manager, who has steered his nation to their first major tournament since 1998, made it clear that both players should remain fit and ready to take part should an opportunity arise.
The 26-man squad was announced on Wednesday afternoon ahead of a warm weather training camp in Spain before friendlies against Holland and Luxembourg.
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Hide AdBut things can change and a final list doesn’t have to be with UEFA until June 1. Even then, injury and illness replacements can be made up to the 11th hour.
“I haven’t done an official standby list. I have spoken to a few players just to say ‘keep yourself fit’. How big do you make a standby list? You’ve so many positions to cover. But everybody has to stay fit and well.”
He later name-checked Paterson and said: “With all the boys; Callum Paterson, Leigh Griffiths, Cameron Shankland, all these boys have played a part in getting us to the Euros. We thank them for their contribution and we don’t forget that contribution.”
Alarm bells sounded when nine-goal Paterson was left out of the last squad but Palmer was seen as a likely addition given he was a near ever-present when fit throughout qualifying.
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Hide Ad“I tend only to work one camp back,” Clarke said when recalling the process of phoning those who were left out.
“Before the last camp I had four or five difficult phone calls to players I’d left out of that camp.
“Yesterday was really only two difficult phone calls, to Andrew Considine and Liam Palmer They’re both obviously very disappointed.
“We have the opportunity to make changes to the squad up until the day before the first day of the tournament, I’ve told them all this. This is a message to all the players who thought they might have been involved; they need to stay fit because with the Covid situation and the injury situation you never know.”