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Steve Clarke has told his Scotland players to \u201cstop this run\u201d of defeats next month after losing 4-1 to France in Lille.<\/p>\n
The Scots went into the friendly knowing they had qualified for the 2024 European Championships after Spain beat Norway at the weekend to ensure a top-two finish in Group A.<\/p>\n
Scotland had lost 2-0 to Spain last week on the back of a 3-1 loss to England at Hampden Park in the 150th Heritage Anniversary match and the French were even classier.<\/p>\n
Clarke made eight changes from Seville \u2013 goalkeepers Liam Kelly and Zander Clark played a half each on their debuts.<\/p>\n
Scotland stunned the home side when midfielder Billy Gilmour guided in the opener after 11 minutes \u2013 his first ever senior goal.<\/p>\n
However, France defender Benjamin Pavard scored two headers, skipper Kylian Mbappe added a third from the spot before the break after a VAR intervention saw referee Tobias Stieler judge Scotland defender Liam Cooper had held Olivier Giroud and substitute Kingsley Coman hammered in a fourth.<\/p>\n
After victory in their first five Euro qualifiers, Scotland have lost three in a row and Clarke wants to get that winning feeling back in the final two qualifiers against Georgia next month before the final game against Norway.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe can take away the memory of the qualification but we lost two games in the camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t like losing. I don\u2019t want them to be comfortable losing or happy to lose.<\/p>\n
We have lost three in a row now and I have asked them to make sure that when we got to Georgia that we stop this run<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spoke about that after the game. It is important we set our standards higher than that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have lost three in a row now and I have asked them to make sure that when we got to Georgia that we stop this run.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to finish on the same points as Spain so the target is to finish with 21 point which will make it a good campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clarke, who was \u201chappy\u201d with his team selection, acknowledged the superiority of the home side.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI thought we started the game really well, the first 15 minute was good and we got ourselves in front.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo concede a goal from a corner was disappointing because we know France can score from open play and we try not to give goals away from set plays.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe third goal \u2013 I don\u2019t think VAR should have got involved in the decision, it was soft and when the referee goes there he has to be strong to stick with his original decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth players were at it and that takes the game away from us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe second half was OK but France are always a threat with their pace and power and quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo lots to learn, lots to improve. We know we are not at that level yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is level we are going to strive to get to and the harder we strive the better team we will be.\u201d<\/p>\n
After sealing qualification to Euro 2024 with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Friday, France boss Didier Deschamps was happy to finish the camp off with a convincing win<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt was a very good week, When you win you are always happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing was against the Netherlands on Friday night and the fact that we have shown so much quality tonight as well, it is a great satisfaction for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe created lots of chances against a team that can defend pretty well and has a lot of qualities. So we are very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n