Roy Keane and Gary Neville clashed angrily over Steve Clarke's exit as Scotland manager, with the former England defender slamming claims that Clarke should have been more positive at the World Cup.
Scotland's group stage exit spelled the end for Clarke despite having signed a new four-year contract just weeks earlier. He leaves as one of the country's best ever managers, but was heavily criticised for his style of football at the tournament, with fans feeling his negative setup against Morocco was particularly costly.
ITV panel erupts after Clarke's bombshell exit
The news of Clarke's departure broke while Keane and Neville were still on punditry duty after England's win over Panama. Keane said he was sorry to hear it but felt things might have gone differently had Clarke "had a bit more of a go."
Neville was quick to shut down that claim, arguing that Clarke didn't have the quality in his squad to set up to attack against top opposition. Keane responded by saying if that's what Neville thinks, he should watch Scottish football more closely.
The angry exchange in full
Neville: "This 'give it a bit more of a go'... Ghana and Cape Verde have sat behind the ball for 60 or 70 minutes. Scotland were a penalty away from beating Morocco. They've sat deep and tried to spring through with very more quality. I don't see how they can 'be a bit more brave.' What have they got to be brave with?"
Keane: "It's about the mindset and how you set up. There's nothing wrong with teams sitting in."
Neville: "They've got two players who I'd say have anything like quality. McTominay and McGinn."
Keane: "Well you should follow Scottish football a bit more closely then. You're talking about not sitting in – they gave away goals against Brazil by trying to play out. They sat deep against Morocco and they were a goal down after 70 seconds!"
Scotland's search for a new manager
Scotland now commence the hunt for their next manager, with Nations League clashes against Slovenia and Switzerland on the horizon. A number of names are emerging as serious contenders, with former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand and Everton manager David Moyes among the bookies' frontrunners.
