Steve Clarke insisted he all the time knew what striker Che Adams might convey to the desk for Scotland after his hat-trick helped seal a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein on Monday.
Adams scored his first treble for Scotland, and his first in any competitors for membership or nation, since 2019 for Birmingham Metropolis towards Queens Park Rangers within the Championship.
He additionally grew to become the primary Scotland participant to be concerned in 4 targets in a sport since Steven Fletcher towards Gibraltar in October 2015, having set-up George Hirst.
Adams fired Scotland forward within the fourth minute after Liechtenstein did not clear Andy Robertson’s nook, with the Torino striker thumping the ball house from shut vary.
The aim at three minutes and 28 seconds was the second-earliest scored by Scotland underneath Clarke, behind John McGinn’s strike towards Poland in November 2024 (02:53).
Scotland doubled their lead quickly after, ruthlessly punishing Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel’s poor go, with Adams selecting out the bottom-left nook for his brace.
Hirst then netted his first Scotland aim three minutes after half-time, tapping the ball house from contained in the six-yard field after being discovered by Adams’ flicked header from a nook.
And Adams accomplished his hat-trick within the second minute of second-half stoppage time, heading substitute Tommy Conway’s teasing cross past Justin Ospelt.
for our No.#LIESCO | @CheAdams_ pic.twitter.com/eBdzpMuZdj
— Scotland Nationwide Workforce (@ScotlandNT) June 9, 2025
“I’m actually happy for Che. We all know what he can convey. Strikers want targets. It’s been a short while since he obtained one. I knew he was determined to attain,” Clarke stated.
“He obtained an early one which releases the stress a bit of bit. I left him on as a result of I knew he’d be determined for that hat-trick.
“He will get an help for George [Hirst] too which is massive, we play two strikers they usually each rating which is good.
“It’s not the primary time I’ve [played two up top], its one thing we’ve used earlier than.”
Adams’ treble noticed him develop into the primary Scotland participant to attain a hat-trick since McGinn towards San Marino in October 2019, and the primary to take action away from house since Robert Snodgrass towards Malta in September 2016.
However the 28-year-old was fast to show away from private accolades, citing Scotland’s show as essential following their 3-1 defeat to Iceland in a pleasant final Friday.
“I’m joyful to get on the scoresheet and assist the crew,” Adams advised BBC Scotland. “It’s good to attain for Scotland, it’s not occurred a lot since I’ve been right here.
“We knew it’d be tough, the circumstances weren’t nice, however we had been very skilled and our mentality was spot on.
“It was vital to log out this yr with the win. We’re joyful we put issues proper from the Iceland sport.”
FULL TIME: Liechtenstein 0-4 Scotland.
Victory in Vaduz #LIESCO pic.twitter.com/Uto63nZxs8
— Scotland Nationwide Workforce (@ScotlandNT) June 9, 2025
Scotland have now gained three consecutive away video games for the primary time since November 2021, additionally underneath Clarke – making him the primary Scotland supervisor to win three or extra away matches in a row greater than as soon as in his tenure since Bobby Brown (additionally twice) in 1967 (six in a row) and 1969 (three).
The Scots additionally gained by 4 or extra targets in an away match for the primary time since November 2018, towards Albania (additionally 4-0).
And regardless of victory towards the aspect ranked 205th on the earth rankings, Clarke lauded his crew for exhibiting resilience forward of their upcoming World Cup qualifying marketing campaign.
“I do know my gamers, I belief my gamers, we’ve had a few disappointments, however they’ve all the time proven a resilience to return again and do what they will do,” Clarke stated.
“It’ll don’t have any bearing on what’s going to occur later within the yr, however it’s good to complete this camp with a pleasant win.”