​‘Completely out of order’ – Chris Sutton demands Steve Clarke drop Scotland superstar after shocking social media post leaves fans speechless

Scotland’s FIFA World Cup campaign has been plunged into fresh controversy after a social media post from one of the country’s most promising young players sparked fierce debate among supporters, pundits, and former internationals.

Steve Clarke’s side is still attempting to recover from a damaging defeat that left their hopes of progressing in the tournament hanging by a thread. The disappointing result triggered frustration across the Scottish football community, with fans questioning both the team’s performance and the tactical decisions that contributed to another difficult night on the world stage.

In the immediate aftermath of the match, attention quickly shifted from the action on the pitch to events online. A cryptic message posted on social media by a Scotland player began circulating rapidly, with many supporters interpreting it as a criticism of the team’s management and overall approach.

The post read: “They want the glory but don’t know how to use the weapons they have. Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep. Focus on the next one.” Although the message was subsequently deleted, eagle-eyed fans captured screenshots before it disappeared, ensuring it continued to spread across social media platforms and football discussion forums.

The timing of the post immediately raised eyebrows. With Scotland facing intense scrutiny following their latest setback, many supporters believed the squad needed unity and focus rather than additional controversy. While some defended the player’s right to express frustration after a difficult result, others viewed the message as an unnecessary distraction during a crucial stage of the tournament.

One of the strongest reactions came against Ben Doak, the highly-rated Scottish winger currently playing for Bournemouth, who found himself at the center of the storm after the message surfaced online. The talented 20-year-old has been regarded as one of Scotland’s brightest prospects for several years, but his latest social media activity generated criticism from former Celtic and Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton. Sutton said: “This is absolute arrogance from a young player who hasn’t achieved anything yet in a Scotland shirt. To go on social media after a painful World Cup defeat and take a swipe at Steve Clarke is completely out of order. If I’m the manager, he doesn’t touch the pitch for the rest of the tournament. The squad doesn’t need this drama right now.”

Sutton’s comments quickly gained traction among supporters, with many agreeing that the situation risked creating unnecessary tension within the Scotland camp. Several fans argued that regardless of the post’s intended meaning, its wording and timing were always likely to provoke controversy.

Others, however, urged caution before jumping to conclusions. Some supporters pointed out that Doak never directly mentioned Clarke, the coaching staff, or any teammate in the message. They argued that the post could have been interpreted in several different ways and that assumptions about its target may have fueled much of the backlash.

Nevertheless, Sutton remained firm in his position and later expanded on his criticism of the situation. “This isn’t about talent or potential. It’s about respect and responsibility. International football is bigger than any individual player. When you’re representing your country, every message matters, every action matters, and right now this sends the wrong message entirely. Steve Clarke has to show leadership and make it clear that nobody is bigger than the team.”

The controversy arrives at a particularly difficult moment for Clarke, whose decisions have already come under increased scrutiny following Scotland’s recent performances. The manager is now tasked not only with preparing his team for the next crucial fixture but also ensuring that focus remains firmly on football matters.

For Doak, the episode represents an unwanted distraction during what should be an important stage of his international development. The Bournemouth winger remains one of the most exciting young talents available to Scotland, and many supporters still believe he can play a major role in the national team’s future.

Whether Clarke decides to take any disciplinary action remains unclear. However, the debate surrounding the deleted social media post has become one of the biggest talking points of Scotland’s World Cup campaign. With pressure mounting and qualification hopes still hanging in the balance, all eyes will now be on how both Clarke and Doak respond in the days ahead.

For Scotland supporters, the priority remains seeing the team bounce back on the pitch. Yet with emotions running high and opinions sharply divided, the fallout from Doak’s controversial post is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.