'They could smell magic': Steve Clarke delights in Scotland repaying fans’ faith
Steve Clarke: "It’s going to be a good Christmas in the Clarke household, I promise you.” Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Steve Clarke believes the Scotland support could “smell magic” before World Cup qualification was sealed in dramatic style with a 4-2 win against Denmark.
At 2-2 in stoppage time, Scotland were bound for the playoffs in March. Stunning goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean triggered euphoric scenes as the Scots secured a spot in the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1998. McLean scored Scotland’s fourth from the halfway line.
“Right in the last part of the game, the crowd was still with us,” the Scotland manager said. “Everybody was in the stadium, nobody left because they could smell magic.
“I’ve said it for a long time now, how good the players are and how determined they are to be good for their country. They showed that tonight. I couldn’t be happier for my players. It’s fantastic. It’s going to be good and it’s going to be a good Christmas in the Clarke household, I promise you.”
Clarke explained the seeds of Scotland’s World Cup return were sewn when losing a playoff against Ukraine for the 2022 tournament.
“I told them to remember how we felt after Ukraine and to bottle that feeling,” Clarke said. “I remember at the time when I spoke to them, I said: ‘You have to remember how bad you feel and make sure that next time you get to that stage’ – and I knew they would get to that stage again because they’re good – ‘you get over the line.’
“They don’t want to be successful just for themselves. They want to share that success with the country.”
Reflecting on the nature of Scotland’s goals, Clarke smiled: “Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen and it might not have been the best goal of the night. When Kenny hit it, I thought: ‘What are you doing?’, but when I saw it in flight I thought: ‘That’s going to go in!’”
Andy Robertson, the captain, said: “That just sums up this squad. Never say die, we just keep going right to the end. One of the craziest games of football. We’ve certainly put the country through it, but I’m sure it’s worth it – we’re going to the World Cup and I can’t believe it. This group of boys and staff, it’s the best group I’ve ever been involved in.”
Robertson also paid an emotional tribute to his late Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
