Steve Clarke directly addresses Scotland flak as he tells the disgruntled 'I don't need to be loved'
The national team head coach has came under more pressure from some fans in the wake of Friday's dismal defeat to Iceland
Steve Clarke insists he is 'not bothered' about calls from disillusioned supporters that his time as Scotland manager is up and is adamant he is a guy who does not need to be loved.
The former West Brom boss is facing fresh another inquest from fans in some quarters after watching his team fall to a 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland on Friday night, with the head coach and his players booed off the pitch at Hampden.
That loss has extended the national team's record to just four wins in their last 20 matches in all competitions, with Scotland suffering relegation to Nations League B earlier this year following a two-legged relegation play-off defeat to Greece, who they will face again in World Cup 2026 qualifying later this year.
Clarke will need to pick his players up for the trip to face Liechtenstein on Monday night, the Scots' final friendly encounter before they kick off their qualifying campaign with a tough assignment on away soil against Denmark in September.
But the 61-year-old - who is under contract with the SFA until after next year's finals in North America - insists he is able to handle the calls for the sack like water off a duck's back.
Speaking to BBC Sport Scotland, he said: "(I'll handle it) just the way that I handle everything else.
I try to be very measured in my approach and I try to be very measured in my approach to life.
"I've done alright. I'm over 60. I'm still involved in the game.
"So I must have a fair idea how to deal with the disappointments and also how to deal with the highs as well.
"Football, especially club football can be week to week and can be one minute (you are) up and one minute (you are) down.
"It's a little bit like that in international football but it's more spread out. You just have to learn to deal with it.
"I think my character is quite suited to being the guy who gets all the stick.
"Everybody likes to be loved but I don't.... I'm very good at not going on social media and reading the newspapers or whatever.
"You get a general feel for what's happening in the world of football that concerns you but no, that doesn't bother me too much."
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