Steve Clarke Justifies Excluding Rising Star Lennon Miller from Scotland Squad

Steve Clarke has addressed the decision to leave Lennon Miller out of the Scotland squad, emphasizing the need for the young midfielder to develop further before making his senior debut. Miller, at just 18, has already made a notable impact this season by captaining Motherwell in a League Cup semi-final loss to Rangers. Although he has represented Scotland at the Under-21 level, he will instead participate with the Under-19s in their European qualifiers. Clarke highlighted the importance of allowing Miller to grow without the pressures of immediate senior competition. The squad for the upcoming matches against Croatia and Poland sees several players returning from injury, which has been a significant boost for Clarke’s team. Young talents such as Ben Doak and Connor Barron maintain their places, showcasing Clarke's commitment to nurturing youth. The head coach noted the performances of players who stepped in during injury crises last month but stressed the positive return to a more consistent squad. As Scotland attempts to avoid relegation in the Nations League, Clarke expressed cautious optimism about the team dynamics with the return of key players, including John McGinn. The ongoing injury concerns for others, including Angus Gunn and Kieran Tierney, remain an issue but the coach remains pleased with the available options and the balance of the team. Overall, Clarke's rationale for excluding Miller stems from a desire to ensure that young talent is given the appropriate time to develop, rather than rushing them into the national spotlight too quickly.