Scotland Coach Steve Clarke Unfazed by Katy Perry in Glasgow Hotel

GLASGOW — Scotland’s national soccer coach, Steve Clarke, remains focused as he prepares his team for two vital World Cup qualifiers this week, undistracted by the presence of pop star Katy Perry at their shared hotel. Clarke, who is gearing up for crucial matches against Denmark and Belarus, stated, “I didn’t know she was there,” acknowledging his limited familiarity with the artist.

Katy Perry’s “Lifetimes Tour” is currently taking place in Glasgow, but Clarke’s attention is firmly on the pitch. At 62 years old, the coach admitted, “I’ve heard the name,” but he could not name any of her songs. He added, “That’s no disrespect to Katy, but I’m from a different generation,” suggesting that their paths may not cross even if they were to meet.

Scotland is seeking to qualify for its first World Cup since 1998, a goal that has been a long-standing aspiration for the Tartan Army. The team is currently tied on four points with Denmark in their qualifying group, having drawn against Denmark in their opening match and achieved a convincing 2-0 victory over Belarus. They will face Greece on Thursday, where Clarke will tie the Scotland coaching record of 71 games, previously held by Craig Brown, who guided the team to the World Cup in France 27 years ago.

The upcoming match against Greece presents an opportunity for Scotland to solidify its position in the group. With their recent performance, the team has shown promise, and fans are hopeful as they continue their campaign for World Cup qualification. Clarke remains optimistic about Scotland’s chances, stating, “While our World Cup history has been very ‘Hot N Cold,’ we could still be a ‘Dark Horse’ to ‘Roar’ to victory in the group.”

As the excitement builds leading up to the matches, the presence of pop culture icons like Perry serves as a reminder of the diverse happenings in Glasgow. Yet for Clarke and his players, the focus remains on achieving success on the soccer field.