GLASGOW (AP) — Sharing a Glasgow hotel with pop star Katy Perry wasn’t much of a distraction for Scotland manager Steve Clarke as he prepares his team for two crucial World Cup qualifiers this week.
“I didn’t know she was there,” said the 62-year-old coach, who admitted he didn’t know much about the artist. Who’s “Lifetime Tour” I came to Glasgow on Tuesday.
“I’ve heard that name before,” Clark added. “If you could play me some of her songs, I’d think, ‘Oh, I know that,’ but I couldn’t name a single one. I’m sorry.”
Clark said that if he had met Perry at the team hotel, Perry would not have known.
“It’s no disrespect to Katie, but I’m from a different generation,” the former Chelsea defender said, adding: “And she wouldn’t recognize me.”
Clarke was aiming to lead Scotland to their first World Cup appearance since 1998, and for Tartan Army fans the wait felt like a lifetime.
After two games, Scotland are level on four points with Denmark, the favorites to progress through the group.
Clarke will equal his Scottish record on Thursday against Greece. Clarke’s 71st game as manager equals the record set by Craig Brown, who led Scotland to the World Cup in France 27 years ago.
Scotland got off to a good start in the four-team group last month with a 0-0 draw with Denmark and a 2-0 win over Belarus, but Sunday’s return fixture will also feature Hampden Park.
Therefore, although Scotland’s World Cup history has been very “hot and cold”, the team could still be the “dark horse” to “bark” for victory within the group.
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