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Scotland manager Steve Clarke has admitted he lost sleep over the decision to include Manchester United youngster Tyler Fletcher in his World Cup squad.
Clarke made the shock announcement on Sunday, promoting Fletcher into the 26-man squad ahead of the tournament in the United States.
The call came after Billy Gilmour was ruled out through injury, forcing Clarke to rethink his travelling party at the last moment.
Three players paid the price for Fletcher’s inclusion, with Lennon Miller, Connor Barron, and Andy Irving all left behind despite helping Scotland reach the tournament.
Clarke, speaking publicly about the decision for the first time since arriving in Fort Lauderdale, said he wrestled with it throughout Saturday night.
“I didn’t sleep much on Saturday night,” he said, adding that there was considerable thinking required around the three players he had kept on standby.
Fletcher, the son of former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher, has clocked up just 17 minutes of first-team football at Old Trafford but clearly impressed the coaching staff during the squad camp.
Clarke said all the coaching staff were really impressed with Fletcher leading up to the game, and noted a brief but encouraging contribution in the second half against Curacao.
“To move him above the other three was difficult,” Clarke said, “but after 62 years and a long time in the game, I have to trust my judgement.”
Clarke revealed he consulted Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, who provided a strong endorsement of the teenager’s recent development.
“Michael said that from February onwards he just saw a big step forward from Tyler in training with the first team squad,” Clarke explained to reporters gathered in Fort Lauderdale.
Carrick had been looking to give Fletcher more minutes from the bench at United but the club’s push for a Champions League place delayed his opportunities on the pitch.
Clarke described Fletcher as a complete midfield player, praising his ability to pass, drive forward, and hold his own physically in training sessions during the camp.
“He wasn’t fazed,” Clarke said, highlighting that Fletcher handled the physical demands of training without hesitation and tackled opponents confidently during sessions.
Clarke has faced significant criticism for leaving Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller out, but he insisted he communicated with every player he had doubts about face-to-face in March.
“Over the phone is not a good way to do it,” he said, adding that he followed those meetings with a courtesy call at the end of the season to confirm who had not made the squad.
Clarke revealed he also had a text exchange with Miller following the announcement, stating simply: “He’s fine. People around about him maybe not. But he’s fine.”
When asked directly whether he had any reservations about throwing Fletcher into a World Cup environment, Clarke was unequivocal in his response.
“None whatsoever,” the 62-year-old said, making clear he believes the Manchester United youngster is ready to make his own mark on the global stage this summer.
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