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Celtic’s Scottish contingent will be key for new Scotland manager Steve Clarke’s success.

The gaffer can rely on the backbone of top Hoops talent if he wants to succeed.

From Scott Bain at the back to perhaps Karamoko Dembele up top, Clarke has a plethora of options.

It remains to be seen whether the former Kilmarnock boss will go with the Premiership route.

Steve Clarke can call on many Celtic players

They key to any football side is to start from the back, and Clarke has many options in green and white.

Scott Bain has emerged as Celtic’s number one this season and is featuring in the national set-up.

His performances have been top of the range and is entering his peak age as a keeper – Clarke must use him.

In defence, Kieran Tierney’s qualities don’t have to be explained but he must be used right.

He will not displace captain Andy Robertson from the left-back spot, but using Tierney on the other side or as a winger against tougher teams wouldn’t go a miss.

The midfield is sewn up with another potential captain in Callum McGregor.

The maestro can play almost anywhere on the pitch and will be a player Clarke will love for any occasion.

On the wings, Clarke can rely on Player of the Year James Forrest who is back to his best this season.

If he continues this form then he will perhaps be the most important player in Clarke’s tenure.

Steve Clarke can call on the youth

It can’t be stated enough that Clarke must look at bringing in Dembele ASAP.

The little winger can head to England or the Ivory Coast at any time, so locking him in early will stop worries.

Another youngster that will probably appear later in Clarke’s Scotland career is Ewan Henderson.

The midfielder is playing sporadically for Celtic and is winning a lot of Hoops fans over with his style.

His tenacity and engine will have any national manager calling out for him, but he is currently behind in the pack.

He might have been a contender for the Celtic job, but Clarke can now get to work with Celtic’s Scottish talent.

Hopefully he doesn’t have an eye on players down south and let the Premiership crop have their chance.

Failure to do so will see Clarke end up like his predecessors, out a job for picking the league someone plays in over quality on the pitch.