Steve Clarke embroiled in livid touchline bust-up with Scotland backroom workers
Steve Clarke was caught in a fiery spat with Scotland backroom staff member Austin MacPhee during their 5-1 drubbing by Germany in Munich.
The clash happened in the second half and was picked up by ITV’s commentator Sam Matterface after a botched free-kick routine. MacPhee, who is Clarke’s set piece guru, was involved in a heated exchange with the boss in the dugout.
Matterface noted: “It wasn’t shown on your screen but that all came from a disappointing Scotland free kick and there was a bit of an argument going on in the Scotland technical area between Steve Clarke and Austin MacPhee, who’s the set piece coach.
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“Clarke wanted them to utilise that set piece better.” Scottish football legend and Matterface’s commentary partner McCoist chimed in: “You’d have thought so. It’s an opportunity to put the ball in the opposition box and give yourself a chance.
“If you are going to get any foothold in the game, or give yourself any kind of chance you need to get the ball in the box. And the way the game is down to ten men, your best opportunity to do that is from a set play.”
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Later on, ITV cameras captured the intense exchange between the two in the technical area. MacPhee is also part of the coaching team at Premier League club Aston Villa, reports the Daily Record.
The 44-year-old coach reminisced about his fan days before joining Clarke’s squad, recalling the epic trip to France ’98: “Going to a major tournament with Scotland is a bucket list thing as a supporter, and I went in 1998.
“Me and my friend Grant had earned money throughout the year and bought a car. We had a tent and maybe £2,000 in the glovebox and came back five weeks later!
“We sailed from Newcastle to Amsterdam and then ‘warmed up’ in Amsterdam and then drove to Paris, driving round the Champs-Elysees in a right-hand drive Renault 5.”
