Scotland supporters are desperate for something a wee bit different.
The loudest cry of the lot is to ditch the back three, which was introduced to accommodate Robertson and Kieran Tierney.
The Celtic full-back pulled out of this squad through injury, so it somewhat forces Clarke’s hand into going with the four in defence.
It can be argued – in the same way the three was to suit Scotland‘s strength at left-back – a back four favours Scotland‘s rising stars. Most notably, Ben Gannon-Doak.
The Bournemouth winger’s blistering pace is like few Scots before him, with McFadden – and many others – adding he’s “someone we’ve been crying out for”.
“He’s a player that we don’t see a lot of,” he added. “We see a lot of wide men with speed, but he wants to get on the ball and he wants to take people on.
“We need to get him in the team where he’s best, and work out what’s best to fit around about him.”
Naturally, that will come at a cost for some of Clarke’s most trusted players. Those who have taken Scotland to back-to-back European championships.
Robertson, though, backs himself to remain a part of Clarke’s plans and continue his chase of Kenny Dalglish’s record 102 caps.
He’s, of course, been in his fellow Liverpool hero’s ear telling him: “I’m coming for you”.
“His reply was plenty of players have said that before and he’s still the main man,” Robertson revealed.
The left-back is still 18 appearances shy on the eve of what he knows is likely to be his last crack at qualifying for a World Cup.
An almighty return at Anfield may be required if he is to prove Dalglish wrong.
