Scotland manager Steve Clarke has faced fierce criticism after storming out of a post-match interview following his team's 3-0 defeat to Brazil, a result that leaves Scotland on the verge of elimination from the World Cup. The incident occurred after a BBC reporter asked Clarke about the anxious wait to see if Scotland can advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
talkSPORT reporter blasts Clarke
Shebahn Aherne, a talkSPORT reporter covering the tournament in the United States, did not hold back during the Breakfast Show with Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on Thursday. She said: "It's not good enough. Who do you think you are?! Do you think you're Pep [Guardiola]? Because you're not."
Aherne acknowledged Clarke's role in qualifying Scotland for their first World Cup since 1998, stating: "I get that he's done his bit." However, she criticised his repeated behaviour, noting that he had also walked out on a reporter after the Morocco match just six days earlier. "You storm off from someone like that when they've got their job to do," she added.
Conduct under fire
Clarke, who signed a new four-year contract before the tournament, cut a visibly frustrated figure after the match. The defeat in Miami was compounded by defensive errors that punished Scotland, leaving them needing four results from seven other group matches to go their way to advance.
Aherne expressed disappointment that Clarke had not spoken to the media during the trip. "We've not been able to speak to Clarke once on this trip," she said. "You have to front up to it as a lot of people have spent a lot of money being here and following this team, representing Scotland."
Call to 'grow up'
The reporter concluded her remarks by urging Clarke to take responsibility: "Just grow up." She added: "I love him, he has given up the opportunity to be here, to be at the Euros. But don't speak to people like that, don't behave like that."
Scotland's World Cup hopes now hang in the balance as they await the outcomes of other group matches to determine if they can secure a spot in the knockout stages.
