Steve Clarke has reflected on his seven-year tenure as Scotland head coach, describing his overriding emotion as pride. The 61-year-old was first approached by the Scottish FA in 2019 and leaves a legacy of two major tournament qualifications and a re-energised national side.
Clarke admitted many advised him against taking what was seen as a difficult role. "When I was first approached by the Scottish FA about the position of head coach, I was advised by many people to leave well alone as the job had become a poisoned chalice," he said. He explained he saw himself as the "wee boy from Saltcoats" who had done well and felt his country wanted him as a leader. His simple remit was to qualify for a major tournament, a goal he achieved by reaching Euro 2020.
Clarke highlighted the penalty shootout victory in Serbia during the pandemic as a key moment that gave the nation cheer. He also pointed to the unforgettable 0-0 draw at Wembley and the 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park as magical occasions. The biggest disappointment of the Euro 2020 campaign was the absence of the Tartan Army due to Covid restrictions, making their return in greater numbers for the 2024 tournament in Germany especially meaningful.
Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup as third seeds was, in Clarke's words, a "truly remarkable achievement." He noted the campaign was difficult against quality opposition but the team repeatedly found a way to get the required points. That journey culminated in what he called "the most incredibly Scotland game ever seen at Hampden Park in a 4-2 win versus Denmark." Witnessing the reconnection between the national team and its supporters gave him his greatest satisfaction.
Scotland currently sit third in their World Cup group with three points from three matches, following a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in their last outing. Their recent form shows three wins and two losses from the last five games. Key players Lawrence Shankland and Scott McTominay are currently sidelined, which will be a factor for the upcoming match. The squad's next challenge is an away fixture against Slovenia on 26 September, a key game in their qualification push.
Clarke paid tribute to his extensive backroom staff, from initial assistants Alex Dyer and Steven Reid to later key men like John Carver and Steven Naismith. He singled out Graeme Jones, the Head of Performance, as his go-to for any problem, and thanked administrative staff Frank Reilly and Ashley Phillip for their support. He said the work of this ever-changing team behind the scenes was instrumental in the on-field success and off-field progress in facilities and structure.
Clarke believes a marker has been set and that if Scotland continues to qualify regularly for tournaments, breaking the knockout phase glass ceiling is inevitable. The new generation of supporters who have taken the squad to their hearts, including those who won over American fans during the World Cup, are a sign of the renewed connection. The team will look to build on their historic World Cup finals win, their first in 36 years, when they face Slovenia later this month. Check the latest standings and team stats for more context ahead of that match.
