Scotland boss Steve Clarke adds Steven Naismith and Andrew Hughes to coaching staff

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has added coaches Steven Naismith and Andrew Hughes to his staff ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Former Hearts head coach, and a former Scotland forward with 51 caps, Naismith joins the backroom team as a replacement for John Carver, who stepped down to focus on his club job at Lechia Gdansk.

Leicester City set piece coach Hughes will take on the same duties for the national team that he does with his club.

Both will be in place when the squad convenes for the first qualifying double-header in September, when Scotland face Denmark and Belarus.

“I am delighted to have Steven and Andrew with us for the World Cup qualifying campaign,” Clarke said. “Steven has been with us before and brings a real complementary skill set to myself and Alan Irvine.

“He has had opportunities to return to full-time club football, so it says a lot for his pride in the national team that he has agreed to join up with us again.

“I was really impressed by a number of potential candidates we’d spoken to when John left to continue at Lechia Gdansk but the fact we’ve worked together before makes for a seamless transition.

“I am also really pleased to have Andrew with us. He has coached in a variety of roles since retiring from playing but has excelled as set-piece coach at Norwich City and now Leicester City and I am grateful to Marti Cifuentes for allowing Andrew to work with us during the international windows.”

Naismith said: “I am really excited to be rejoining the Scotland men’s national team coaching staff under Steve. When I left Hearts, I made a point of not jumping straight back in at the first offer but to reflect on my coaching experiences and wait for something that really excited me.

“When I first spoke to Steve about the possibility of coming back it was a no-brainer: I loved playing for my country, I’ve loved being part of the coaching team previously and I can’t wait to help support the mission to take Scotland to a World Cup again.”

Hughes, who had a long playing career in England before turning to coaching, revealed a family connection to the cause.

He said: “From the moment I got the call from Steve I have felt extremely honoured to be invited to work with the Scotland men’s national team.

“My father is Scottish and as well as this being a proud moment for me and my family, it is a hugely exciting time as a coach to be part of a World Cup qualifying campaign, with such a talented squad, following back-to-back Euro qualifications. I can’t wait to get started.”