u/Hopeful-Project5504

Hear me out.

Yes, he is our most naturally gifted passer and losing anyone is a blow and I am gutted for the guy on a personal level, but...

• He only played in 3 of our qualifiers (our 3 poorest games actually)
• He hasn't played that well for Scotland in years
• He is better playing against stronger teams, but Clarke never seems to trust him in these games anyway and he looks a bit clueless trying to break down weaker teams (see yesterday, Hungary 2024 to name just two examples)
• It stops Clarke trying this stupid double-pivot with McLean and Gilmour where they are too similar amd we lack a ball-winner
• It forces Clarke to start Ferguson, who is better defensively
• It might even prompt Clarke to start Christie at CM, where he has been a revelation at Bournemouth and much more effective than out wide

Before the euros we had at least Ferguson, Hickey, Gordon, Dykes all out and were sweating over McTominay. We are in a much better position this year injury-wise (and have some actual wingers now). Losing Hickey and/or Doak would be a much much bigger blow