Steve Clarke in prickly response after Austin MacPhee row on Scotland touchline

Steve Clarke bristled at a question from the press following Scotland’s mauling at the hands of Germany this evening – after a shouting match on the bench with Austin MacPhee.

The head coach was raging after his side were battered 5-1 by the Euro 2024 tournament hosts in Munich but there was a moment on the sidelines that was noted by pundits and reporters alike who were in attendance.

Scots had a free-kick in a relatively dangerous position as they chased the game but rather than send the ball into the box for the big boys to attack, the decision was made to play it short from which Germany would eventually win possession back and break.

That prompted a furious Clarke to turn to set-piece coach MacPhee and lambast the staffer and it came up in Clarke’s post-match presser.

Rather than explain rationally, the boss aimed a pop at the journalist – The Herald’s Matthew Lindsay – for asking the reasonable question.

“Is that a serious question? We’re fine,” he said. “I don’t even remember it, we’re fine. It’s emotional on the touchline.”

Clarke was clearly irked at full-time but he did take time to answer more questions. “I’ve had tough nights before, I’ll get over it. I’ve never ever doubted my players.”