Scottish Premier League stars give Steve Clarke plenty to ponder
JOHN McGARRY: The good, the bad and the ugly… Scotland boss Steve Clarke has plenty to ponder as his stars kick off the new Premier League season with John McGinn, Ben Doak and Nathan Patterson all in action
- Steve Clarke had a plenty to think about during the return of the Premier League
- John McGinn and Nathan Patterson were two of the many Scots players in action
- WATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 1 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show
With Scotland’s next Euro 2024 qualifier in Cyprus a little over three weeks away, Steve Clarke would have been hopeful that those players who are in contention to make his squad hit the ground running when the English Premier League restarted at the weekend.
Across the 10 games that were bookended by Manchester City’s win over Burnley on Friday and Manchester United’s victory over Wolves on Monday, 10 players Clarke will consider saw action with another key figure curiously omitted from the match day squad altogether.
Here, Mail Sport runs the rule over what was an opening card of mixed fortunes for those who’ll hope to play a part in a game which could see Scotland move closer to automatically clinching a place in Germany.
John McGinn
Talk about a tough day at the office for the Tartan Army favourite. St James’ Park re-established its reputation as a fortress as Eddie Howe’s Newcastle finished fourth last season and the addition of the likes of Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes will make it an even tougher place to visit.
Aston Villa were simply blown away by Newcastle’s pace and precision passing. McGinn made way for Diego Carlos on 64 minutes and had a ringside seat as the home side eventually romped to a 5-1 win.
Scotland manager has had plenty to take stock of this weekend ahead of his side’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Cyprus in three weeks time
Several of his Scotland players, including John McGinn (pictured) were in action as the Premier League resumed this weekend
Nathan Patterson (pictured) featured in Everton’s 1-0 defeat by Fulham at Goodison Park and played 90 minutes, enduring a tough time at the hands of Willian, while missed a clear chance
Nathan Patterson
Some 19 months after moving to Everton from Rangers, the full-back has yet to fully win over the blue side of Merseyside.
His display in the one-goal home loss to Fulham, in which he played the 90 minutes, did him no favours. He endured a tough time at the hands of Willian but came into the game once the Brazilian went off.
Missed a fine chance to score his first Everton goal when he hit the bar after Bernd Leno saved from Alex Iwobi. Could have done better positionally for Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s goal.
Jacob Brown
Never let it be said that this man doesn’t like a challenge. A summer signing for Luton from Stoke, he’s now part of a side that are odds-on favourites to go straight back down to the Championship.
Despite the departures of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, Brighton are expected to have another fine season under the shrewd Roberto De Zerbi. And so it proved.
Brown, who has six caps, came on after 64 minutes but his side, who were trailing at the break, quickly went two goals down. A penalty by Carlton Morris halved the arrears but the Seagulls cruised to victory with a further two late goals.
Billy Gilmour
In the two years since he produced a man-of-the-match display against England at Wembley, Gilmour’s career has stalled.
A forgettable loan spell at Norwich came before he moved to Brighton a year ago but he’s struggled for game-time under De Zerbi with just seven starts.
Gilmour had to wait for the 74th minute to feature in the win against Luton, when he replaced Mahmoud Dahoud, but he was instrumental in his side eventually making the points safe. A pretty decent day’s work.
Ryan Christie
Part of the Bournemouth squad which scrambled to 15th place last season, Christie began the new campaign playing in behind Dominic Solanke.
What a welcome vote of confidence that was on the first day of the Andoni Iraola era. Despite trailing to Jarrod Bowen’s spectacular goal early in the second half, Christie was at the heart of everything good about the Cherries.
He made way for Kieffer Moore on 67 minutes and punched the air as Solanke walked home an equaliser eight minutes from time.
Jacob Brown (middle) came on for his new side Luton after 64 minutes but the London club were beaten 4-1 by the Seagulls
Billy Gilmour (left) had to wait for the 74th minute to feature in the win against Luton
Kieran Tierney
Confirmation that the left-back has no future under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal came when he was omitted from the match day squad that faced Nottingham Forest.
There’s been no fall-out with the Spaniard and the 26-year-old isn’t injured. Tellingly, he didn’t feature in the 2-1 win even though Oleksandr Zinchenko — the Gunners’ regular left-back — was injured. His face just doesn’t fit.
Celtic, Newcastle, Real Sociedad and Aston Villa have all been linked with the player. The sooner the matter is put to bed, the better for all concerned.
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Scott McKenna
McKenna missed large parts of last season at Forest through hamstring and collarbone injuries so his place in the starting XI at the Emirates was a welcome sight. Playing on the left of a back-three, he was blameless as Eddie Nketiah wove his way in from the other flank to put Arsenal in front.
Couldn’t get out to Bukayo Saka quickly enough to prevent the second but made key interceptions before Taiwo Awoniyi made a game of it.
Andy Robertson
The Scotland skipper will be a huge player for Jurgen Klopp after the departures of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho.
Wasn’t directly to blame for Liverpool allowing Chelsea to battle their way back into a game the visitors initially dominated but was still part of a display which became ragged. Showed a good early understanding with new midfielders, Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Ben Doak
When Clarke announces his squad, the inclusion or otherwise of the former Celtic winger will be the main talking point.
Klopp loves him and trusts him. And if he’s good and old enough for Liverpool at 17, there is no reason why he shouldn’t earn a first full call-up.
A substitute for Luis Diaz with 77 minutes on the clock at Stamford Bridge, his pace and directness on just his third appearance were again striking.
Aaron Hickey
Played 72 minutes of Brentford’s entertaining 2-2 draw with Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs.
Operating on the right side of a back-five, Hickey struggled to cope with the attacking threat of a Tottenham team playing without Harry Kane for the first time.
Caught on his heels as Cristian Romero powered a header home from James Maddison’s free-kick.
Booked for a tug on the jersey of his direct opponent, Son Heung-min, but will be glad to have been part of a team effort which put a first point on the board.
Ben Doak (left) impressed for Liverpool in pre-season and was deployed from the bench in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday
Brentford’s Aaron Hickey (front) played 72 minutes in Brentford’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham
Scott McTominay (right) also featured in Man United’s 1-0 win against Wolves on Monday night
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Scott McTominay
Despite another summer of speculation, McTominay is still a Manchester United player. But he can’t be happy with the fact he’s still very much on the periphery of Erik ten Hag’s side.
He had to wait until the 88th minute on Monday to enter the visit of Wolves as a sub for Marcus Rashford.
Played his part in ensuring his team hung on for a scarcely deserved 1-0 victory but must surely be thinking about moving on.
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