Scotland manager Steve Clarke has expressed his surprise and disappointment after hearing boos from the Tartan Army following a 1-0 defeat to Japan at Hampden Park. The friendly was Scotland's first warm-up match since qualifying for the World Cup, but a late goal from Junya Ito handed the visitors a deserved victory.
Clarke told BBC Scotland: 'Yes and it disappointed me to be honest. It's just the modern way, it seems to be now if you lose a game you get booed. You have just got to deal with it. It disappoints me.' The result was no disgrace against a Japan side ranked 19th in the world, but Scotland lacked attacking inspiration.
Scotland's next friendly is an unusual 'home' match against Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on Tuesday. Clarke plans to make six or seven changes, with Che Adams, John Souttar and Grant Hanley among those yet to feature. 'We'll recover now and get the next team ready to go,' he said.
The World Cup begins on June 11, with Scotland scheduled to face Curacao on May 30 at Hampden Park. A further warm-up match on US soil is also expected, though opponents are yet to be confirmed. Final squad lists must be submitted by May 30.
