Harvey Mabarnes substitution in Scotland: Analysis of the Newcastle winger

But what is clear is the potential for Barnes to be included to bolster Scotland’s attacking options.

He is a Champions League player playing in a domestic league considered by many to be the most challenging in the world.

Barnes’ double against City on Saturday raised his tally for the season to six in 18 matches. Three of them came in four Champions League matches.

Since the start of last season, he has scored 15 goals and made seven assists in all competitions as a winger.

There is simply no other Scottish striker providing this level of production at this level for his club.

On Saturday, Barnes could have scored a goal or two as he scored a killer, which showcased his direct running and link-up ability.

His second goal, which proved to be the winner, showed his poaching instinct, adjusting his body from close range to take an excellent first touch before burying in the rebound.

Scotland have long lacked real pace, leadership and quality in their attacking areas, even after the emergence of Ben Gannon Doak, who has been a revelation for Clarke.

That became clear when the Bournemouth winger was taken off on a stretcher in the first half of the stunning win over the Danes last week. He has since undergone surgery to treat a hamstring injury and faces months away.

Without the 20-year-old, Clarke’s side became predictable in open play and never had the ball out of the park during periods of sustained Dane pressure.

Barnes will be a great help in addressing that. The prospect of playing on his preferred left side with Doak on the opposite flank is certainly exciting.

However, it seems that some pride will have to be swallowed for this to become an accepted reality.