NEW FOOTAGE REVEALS SCOTLAND MANAGER STEVE CLARKE LOSING PATIENCE WITH CELTIC STAR DURING INTENSE TRAINING SESSION AHEAD OF THEIR GAME
Newly released footage from Scotland’s final pre-match training session has raised eyebrows across the country after capturing manager Steve Clarke visibly losing patience during an intense tactical drill on Thursday afternoon. The clip, filmed at Oriam and leaked late last night, shows Clarke stopping a high-tempo exercise to address what he clearly viewed as unacceptable levels of frustration from one of his key players.
The training session, described by insiders as “ferocious,” was the last major workout before today’s crucial international fixture. Scotland were attempting to run through a series of pressing triggers and midfield rotations when the drill broke down several times in quick succession. The footage shows one player at that moment unnamed by those releasing the clip reacting angrily as the sequence collapses around him, slapping his leg and shaking his head.
It was enough to prompt a swift intervention from Clarke.
“He was right in front of me and he was really, really frustrated with a lot of things,” Clarke said when asked to clarify the moment. “I can see everything from the touchline, and he wasn’t happy with himself. When frustrations get that visible, you sometimes need to step in and reset the mood.
The Scotland manager can be seen blowing his whistle sharply, stopping the drill, and calling the midfielder across for a brief but firm discussion. Clarke gestures to several areas of the pitch, appearing to tell the player where he wanted movement to start and how quickly transitions needed to be executed. Other players pause and watch as the discussion unfolds.
Initially, the identity of the player was the subject of intense speculation. But midway through the footage and confirmed later through sources within the Scotland camp it became clear that the individual involved was a Celtic midfielder who has been central to both club and country this season. Those close to him insist his irritation was not directed at teammates, but at himself for failing to meet the standard he sets.
By the time his name was confirmed, the clip had already gone viral, triggering widespread debate among supporters and pundits. Many argued the player’s emotional reaction showed his commitment to the cause, while others questioned whether fatigue from a demanding club schedule might be affecting his sharpness in training.
Coaching staff have defended both the player and Clarke’s reaction, insisting that the session was deliberately constructed to push the group to their limits. Clarke’s tactical approach is heavily reliant on disciplined movement, coordinated pressing, and well-timed triggers areas in which any lapse is immediately addressed. The Celtic midfielder, known for his technical ability and work rate, was said to be “furious” with a particular sequence in which he arrived half a step late to initiate the press.
Former Scotland midfielder James McFadden weighed in on the incident during a broadcast this morning. “This is Steve Clarke in full detail mode,” he said. “He doesn’t accept sloppiness, especially the day before a major game. It’s normal for players to get frustrated when the standards are high. Clarke sees that as a good sign, not a problem. It means they care.”
Inside the camp, the moment was played down almost immediately. Players finished the drill with renewed focus, and staff members later described the exchange as “routine” within a high-performance environment. Still, the visibility of the incident and the fact it occurred the day before a pivotal match ensured that public interest grew rapidly.
Clarke, however, seemed keen to close the discussion swiftly.
“We talked after the session. He’s absolutely fine,” he said. “He’s a top professional, he expects a lot from himself, and that’s what I want. It wasn’t a confrontation it was a correction. The standards have to be high. They always have to be high.”
Supporters and pundits alike have noted that the Celtic midfielder has carried a massive workload for both his club and the national team this season. Some have suggested the emotional moment highlights the mental and physical strain he has been under, while others believe it shows a player desperate to perfect the tactical elements Clarke demands.
As Scotland count down to kick-off, attention now turns to whether the Celtic star will start today’s match. Those inside the camp say he remains a key part of Clarke’s plans, and that the manager values his tactical intelligence and intensity despite the training-ground flashpoint.
What is certain is that Clarke’s message was sharp: emotional reactions are normal, but discipline and clarity must return quickly. With Scotland needing complete focus in today’s match, the manager has made clear that perfection begins long before the first whistle.
And as for the Celtic midfielder at the centre of the storm, today presents the perfect opportunity to channel frustration into performance exactly what Steve Clarke expects at this level.
