The Steve Clarke Scotland manager era has ended after 7 years. We take a look at the ups & downs of his tenure as Scotland boss. And what a journey it’s been.
Low: The early 4-0 thrashings
Previous Scotland Men’s National Team (SMNT), boss Alex McLeish was sacked (unfairly?) due to a single result, the 3-0 Euro qualification loss to Kazakhstan in Astana.
Subsequently, Steve Clarke began his tenure as Scotland boss, with a home match in the same competition against Cyprus. Oli Burke’s 89th minute goal salvaged a 2-1 win after Cyprus had equalised 2 mins earlier. Burke’s goal was a portent that became something of a theme of Clarke’s team. Namely, a battling team scoring vital late goals.
Defeats followed against 2 strong sides in that group. Firstly, was the 3-0 to Lukaku (2) & De Bruyne goals in Belgium. Secondly was the 2-1 loss to Russia at Hampden. John McGinn scored for the Scots.
Then came a couple of 4-0 gubbings to each of those teams. Afterwards, Clarke stated to the players, that they had to ensure this is the low point that they never reach again.
A couple of games later, Scotland ended that qualification campaign with a 3-1 Hampden win against the Kazakhs. The game was watched by 19,515 members of the long since disillusioned Tartan Army. McGinn scored 2 punctuated by one by Clarke’s future assistant boss, Stevie Naismith.
High: Qualifying for Euro 2020
However, given the sub-abject displays in the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, Scotland still had a backdoor chance to qualify for the finals. Specifically, McLeish’s team had won their Nation’s League group in 2018, earning the Scots a shot at qualifying through the play-offs.
Firstly was Israel at Hampden played behind closed doors in the pandemic. 0-0 took the game to the 1st ever penalty shoot out involving the SMNT. All 5 Scots scored with their spot kicks. Hence, one David Marshall save was enough to win the shoot out 5-3.
Secondly, the play-off final was away to Serbia. In Belgrade, the Scots were 1-0 up thanks to Ryan Christie. Scott McTominay, for all the attacking talents he exhibited on the rare occasions when allowed to by Manchester United, was in a period of Clarke playing him at CB. In the 89th minute Luka Jovic evaded McTominay at a corner to equalise. Ultimately, the game again went to penalties.
Again all 5 Scots scored with their spot kicks. Thus, one David Marshall save against the Serbs was sufficient for the Scots to qualify for the Euros. No one playing for the SMNT to date has missed a penalty in a shoot-out. It was the 1st SMNT qualification for a major tournament finals since Craig Brown took the Scots to France 98. In the midst of pandemic misery, Scotland wowed in celebration.
Consequently, goalscorer Ryan Christie’s tear drenched post match TV interview, captured the hearts of the nation.
Low: The post Belgrade Nations League games
Following the game in Belgrade, the Scots had 2 Nations League games to play within 6 days. 2 points were needed to win the group and earn the accompanying insurance if needed, of a fallback Euro qualification play-off place. Willie Miller spoke of the great Aberdeen side under Alex Ferguson of ensuring “that winning habit”. However, in an abandonment of any semblance of sports-science-driven professionalism, the Scots in Belgrade had no such focus for their 2 upcoming games.
Instead, the Scots celebrated in Belgrade with an all-night bevython. Subsequently, 3 days later, the hungover Scots lost 1-0 in Slovakia. That ended a 9 game unbeaten run, and the chance to go 10 games unbeaten since the heady heights of the Hughie Gallacher era in 1927. Thus, the Scots now needed a win to top their Nations League group.
3 days later the Scots faced Israel for the 5th time in 2 years. In the previous 4 encounters, the Scots had only won once against Israel over 90 mins. The Scots repeated their 2018 visit by losing by one goal, this time 1-0.
Low: Home defeat to Czechia at Euro 2020
UEFA kept the branding of their pandemic delayed tournament to be Euro 2020. The Scots opened their group with a home game against the Czechs. Billy Gilmour in the months leading up to the finals, had impressed with the football world with various man of the match debuts for Chelsea in different competitions.
He had debuted for the SMNT when subbing on in a pre-tournament friendly against Netherlands. Clarke however elected to keep Gilmour out of the Czechia game. The Scots lacked cutting edge losing 2-0 to a Patrick Schick double.
High: Gilmour stars at Wembley at Euro 2020 in his 1st SMNT start
Subsequently, in the Scots’ 2nd game of the group, Gilmour started in a widely praised, combative Scots performance. Despite creating the best chances, the Scots could only draw 0-0. However, Gilmour delivered a player of the match performance. With a home game to follow, the Scots consequently dreamed of getting out of the group for the 1st time at a major tournament.
Low: Home defeat to Croatia for Euro 2020 elimination
However, Luka Modric inspired Croatia firmly put paid to that idea with a convincing 3-1 win. Callum McGregor scored the Scots goal.
High: 2-0 win against Denmark, earning a 2022 World Cup play off
Scotland done well in their group games, losing only away to Kasper Hjulmand’s excellent Denmark side. Furthermore, the Scots ended their campaign with a scintillating display in Glasgow. John Souttar scored implementing a header of a well rehearsed set piece routine. That goal in Denmark’s last game of the group, was only the 2nd the Danes conceded in any of their 10 games in that group.
Ché Adams sealed the game for the Scots, with a tremendous curled finish to a lethal Scots breakaway at a raucous Hampden. That consequently was 6 consecutive wins for the Scots.
Low: World Cup playoff elimination by Ukraine & limp defeat to Ireland
The Scots went into the play-off on an 8 game unbeaten run. However, the Ukrainians were always certain to be up for it, given the threat to their nation by the infinitely more serious matter of the invasion by Russia.
A poor Scotland performance resulted in a 3-1 loss. Given the emotional backdrop, Ukraine fans understandably stayed behind celebrating long after the final whistle.
Further, the Scots in the same international break had Nations League games at home to Armenia & then away to Ireland. The Armenians were taken care of, 2-0. The game in Dublin though is remembered not just for the 3-0 defeat, but also for the lacklustre Scots performance.
High: Defeating Spain 2-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying
What a night at a rocking Hampden. The Steve Clarke era peaked with this thrilling 2-0 win & the Scots 1st win against Spain since the Mo Johnston (2) & Kenny Dalglish goals winning 3-1 at home in 1984. This victory for Clarke’s side was Scotland’s biggest scalp since the Euro 2008 qualifier wins in both Glasgow & Paris against France.
Scott McTominay had been moved by Clarke into primarily attacking rather than defensive duties. Subsequently, the Clarke positional move changed McTominay’s career earning him a move to Napoli, a Serie A win & a Ballon D’or nomination. One of the best players in Europe in this campaign, McTominay scored both goals against Spain. Specifically, the 1st was a deflected effort. The 2nd was a volley finishing off a tremendous Kieran Tierney counter-attack.
High: 2-1 win against Norway in Oslo
On a scorching hot June evening, Erling Haaland had the home team 1-0 ahead with a 61st minute penalty. Leeds United captain, Liam Cooper, subbed on 4 minutes later, “screaming” to teammates, “Just one chance, we only need one chance.”
The game turned in the 84th minute. Haaland feeling he had run out of steam after a lengthy league season, requested to be subbed off, removing the threat of Norway’s primary goal grabber.
Next, 3 minutes later, Scotland equalised. Cramp-affected Leo Ostigard allowed Lyndon Dykes to nip the ball from him, knocking the ball into the net for an equaliser. One minute & 44 seconds later, the Scots were in front. Kenny McLean initiated the transition with a 1st touch pass on a loose ball in his own half. Stu Armstrong took 3 touches before the one touch football continued from McTominay, McGinn, Dykes and McLean’s curling right foot finish. A 2-1 win for the never say die Scots.
Subsequently, McGinn praised Cooper’s inspirational leadership that had reverberated through the team. And this is the still hilarious footage of the low EQ pundits in the Norwegian TV studio.
High: Making it 5 straight qualifier wins
2 wins against Cyprus & 1 against Georgia added to the wins above against Spain & Norway, meant the Scots started the campaign with 5 straight wins. Aaron Hickey played in all 5 games, turning the previously troublesome RB spot into a position of genuine strength.
Irish pundit, Keith Treacy, gave this neutral assessment of Scotland after that 5th win:
“Very impressive, when you think they’re in a group with Spain, we all know how good Spain is, they beat the Spanish at Hampden already.”
“They just get it done. This Scottish team, there is some outstanding individual players, but as a team, I don’t think anybody that is gonna go & play Scotland, you don’t want to play Scotland in Glasgow, you definitely don’t, but even away, getting them in your home patch, they’re just really, really good. Again, its difficult to say what is it that makes them tick because its a bunch of individuals that’s coming together to make a team.”
“There’s an awful lot of talent there, there’s an awful lot of hard working. You see Andy Robertson play, its his 65[th] cap tonight. He doesn’t wanna come off the pitch. He wants to be there for the whole thing, and when you’ve got people like that who want to drive the team forward, McTominay, McGregor, McGinn, so much selfless running in there, & when you’ve got talent that works that hard, its very hard to beat.”
“I think it comes from the manager. I think its the environment he sets in & around the place.”
“They’ve been pretty much perfect since that night in the Aviva, they’ve been really, really excellent & it goes down to Steve Clarke, the environment their in, the players they have, good professionals. Andy Robertson, McGregor, McGinn, McTominay, they’re just good, good professionals. Gilmour, Gilmour is a little bit younger than the rest of the boys in there, but he must be looking around thinking, this is what it is to be a professional footballer, these are the standards you’re setting. Like I say, sometimes you can be a bit up & down in international football. Scotland seem to have this standard that they set, & they reach it.”
Low: Loss to England
The Scots at Hampden put in a jaded performance losing 3-1 to a strong England team. From peak Clarke with the 5 straight wins including the victory over Spain, the team then went into decline.
Low: 2-0 defeat in Spain
Narrow margins. Scott McTominay in the 60th minute bulleted in a free kick from a seemingly impossible angle. The Spaniards turned to line up for the restart. The goal was being described as an iconic goal, & at the time likely to be the Scotland goal of the decade, as per the 2007 James McFadden goal in Paris.
However, VAR intervened. The referee took a look and disallowed the goal, adjudging Jack Hendry to have fouled the Spanish goalie. Subsequently, 2 goals in the last 20 mins won the game for Spain.
Injuries meant this was Hickey’s last SMNT game for 2 years.
Low: 5-1 loss to Germany at Euro 2024
Were the Scots overawed by the occasion? The host German team certainly were not.
Ryan Porteous did himself nor his team any favours in the 44th minute. His 2 footed penalty box lunge at İlkay Gündoğan was an obvious straight red. Kai Havertz put away the penalty giving his side a 3-0 half-time lead. The game ended 5-1. The Scots goal was an Antonio Rüdiger own goal, diverting a Scott McKenna header into his own net.
Low: Elimination by Hungary at Euro 2024
Scotland produced a battling 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their 2nd group game, with McTominay scoring with a deflected shot. Hence, the Scots needed to win their final game of the group to progress. The opposition was the well drilled counter-attacking team of Hungary & Dominik Szoboszlai. Clarke played safety 1st until the dying minutes of the game.
Amidst a Hungarian injury time onslaught, the Scots had a strong penalty claimed declined for a foul on Stu Armstrong. 3 mins later the Scots fashioned a chance for Grant Hanley to shoot from near the penalty spot. However, the GK parried the ball left where Christie took possession. With a teammate running in unmarked at the back post who’d have only the GK to beat from 6 yards, Christie attempted what appeared a shot (or was it a mishit cross?), from a difficult angle. The golden chance was gone.
The Hungarians surged up their right flank in the 99th minute, exploiting the absence of subbed off LB, Andy Robertson. Kevin Csoboth scored from the low cross he received. The Scots had been warned shortly before with a near identical attack hitting the post.
Match stats showed the Hungarians had 14 shots compared to 4 by the Scots, and a 1.22 xG compared to 0.17 for the Scots. Thus, the 1-0 Hungarian winning scoreline reflected the xG. However, Clarke in his post match interview lost emotional control. He blamed the denied penalty on the referee being Argentinian, for a regrettably undignified exit from the competition on the part of the Scotland boss.
Low: UEFA Nations League play-off defeat to Greece
The Scots turned in some decent performances in their Nations League Group A section featuring Czechia, Poland & Portugal. However, they finished 3rd in the group & needing to beat Greece in a 2-legged play-off to preserve Group A status.
The away 1st leg produced a 1-0 Scots win thanks to a McTominay penalty. The Greeks though turning things up in the 2nd half, was a portent of what was to happen in the return leg at Hampden. Subsequently, the Scots were outclassed in Glasgow with the Greeks easily winning 3-0, out thinking & outplaying the Scots.
Low: 3-1 defeat to Iceland
Clarke had 3 GKs in his squad for the friendly visit of Iceland in June 2025. Robby McCrorie injured in the warm-up. Angus Gunn started & injured in the 6th minute. Hence, the debut of a 22-year-old GK who at that point played zero seconds of senior 1st team league football, Cieran Slicker. Slicker looked nervous & unready as the Scots lost 3-1. Souttar was the Scots scorer.
Clarke said afterwards:
“I’ll give him reassurance because he probably went in when it was too early. He wasn’t quite ready for it. That wasn’t his fault. That’s the circumstances that dictated that.”
Clarke omitted in his comments to take responsibility by stating that it was he who put Slicker in before the GK was ready. Subsequently, Clarke called up Ross Doohan for the stroll of the away friendly 4-0 win in Liechtenstein 3 days later. Further, Slicker later stated that the game was the difference the following season between English 4th tier rather than 3rd tier clubs being interested in loaning him. Ultimately though, Slicker had a decent season on loan at Barnet, getting worthwhile 1st team football under his belt.
High: Qualifying for World Cup 2026
The Scots hadn’t been to a World Cup since France 98. They opened their 2026 qualifying campaign very well, battling to a 0-0 draw in Copenhagen against the pot one Danes.
Wins followed against Belarus & Greece in which performances were unconvincing, & arguably undeserved. It is though goals that count. Further, Angus Gunn in that 3-1 home win versus Greece, produced a moment described in follow up reports as “that save”.
Then, the penultimate game was to play the Greeks in Athens. Yet again the slick Greeks hit the goals trail going 3-0 up on the hour mark. The remaining 30 mins produced the best period of Scots football of the campaign. Ben Gannon-Doak & Ryan Christie pulled 2 back for what was ultimately a 3-2 defeat. That defeat with only one round of games still to be played, smothered the Scots chance of auto-qualification for the finals. Or maybe not.
Specifically, news came through from Denmark. Belarus, not too shabby at all when losing 2-1 at Hampden, had drawn with the much fancied Danish team. Hence the Scots’ last game, at home to Denmark, would decide who qualified automatically for the World Cup.
The greatest night at Hampden?
What a night. What a game. The atmosphere. 90+ mins of drama unlikely to be surpassed in a life time. With the Scots needing a win, McTominay put the Scots ahead with an overhead kick, subsequently reported as a world record for the height he reached in scoring. 1-0 to the Scots.
However, Gannon-Doak went off injured after 21 mins. Any attacking threat from the Scots disappeared at that point, with Denmark subsequently dominating possession comfortably. Rasmus Højlund equalised with a penalty early in the 2nd half, to have the Danes auto-qualifying at that point. 1-1.
Next, in the 61st minute, Rasmus Kristensen was sent off (2nd yellow), for a foul on McGinn. Thus, the previously under-performing Scots were given a gateway back into the game. However, even with a player less, the talented Danes continued to dominate possession.
However, with 78 mins gone, the game swung again, this time for the Scots. Lewis Ferguson sent over a corner. Lawrence Shankland a yard out made sure it went over the line. 2-1 to Scotland. This was it; hold out for the little time left & the Scots were on their way to the World Cup.
But no. With 81 mins gone, Patrick Dorgu equalised for 2-2, with a goal the Danes no less than deserved. The Scots seemed to need a miracle to avoid having to win 2 play-off games to go to the finals.
Stoppage time miracle
In stoppage time, that miracle duly arrived. Left-footed Kieran Tierney had subbed on at RB. After coming inside looking to get involved in the play, the ball fell to him outside the box. Perfectly positioned, he curled a peach of a shot around Kasper Schmeichel into the far corner. 3-2.
The goal mysteriously & magically empowered the Danes, no longer afflicted by the player-felling cramp they exhibited when protecting the 2-2 draw. Throwing everything at the Scots, they gave away possession in the 98th minute. Kenny McLean picked up the loose pass. Advancing forward and now immortalised with the iconic commentary of, “Shoot! Shoot!”. McLean duly obliged, chipping Schmeichel with a goal from his own half.
And that was that. 4-2 final score. Celebrations at Hampden & elsewhere of a generational victory. The 1st SMNT World Cup qualification since 1998. Will that seismic evening of drama ever be beaten?
And seismic is the optimal superlative. The Glasgow Geothermal Observatory in Dalmarnock (approximately 2km from the stadium), detected a minor earthquake with tremors generating approximately 200kW of energy. Key spikes were recorded at 21:48–21:50 (coinciding with McLean’s halfway-line goal) and again at the final whistle. A smaller spike was also detected for Tierney’s goal three minutes earlier.
This was Clarke’s 3rd major tournament finals qualification in 4 attempts. Andy Robertson was his captain in all 4 campaigns, surpassing the record 48 SMNT appearances as captain previously held by the man-mountain that was George Young. John McGinn was vice-captain in all but name.
Low: Elimination from World Cup
Haiti
What a nightmare group to be drawn in for the 48 team competition; Brazil & Morocco, both top 6 FIFA ranked. Thus, the opening game versus Haiti was seen as must win.
The Scots delivered a 1-0 victory via John McGinn’s deflected goal. The Scots though were poor against the energetic & enthusiastic Haitians who dominated possession and had a seemingly valid penalty claim denied.
Would a one goal win be enough though, given the excellent opposition to follow in the next 2 games? At least the win ended the Scots winless run at a World Cup going back to the 2-1 win against Sweden at Italia 90. Were the jubilant Scots full-time celebrations justified though? Ultimately, they were not.
Morocco
The Moroccans started the 2nd game like a Hurricane. They went ahead after 71 secs exploiting unsynchronised defensive decision making & organisation, for an all too easy breach of the Scots backline. Ismael Saibari finished emphatically.
The Scots weathered the 1st half storm, going in only a goal down. In the 2nd half, the Scots produced their best football of the finals. Further, they had 2 valid penalty claims denied, balancing out somewhat the claim refused to Haiti in the 1st game. However, final score, 1-0 to Morocco.
Brazil
And then the last game against perennial big guns, Brazil. This Brazil team wasn’t as good as previous generations, we were led to believe after their unconvincing qualifying campaign. However, new Brazil coach, Carlo Ancelotti, had other ideas.
The Scots attempted to play the ball out from the back, seemingly to invite & pass through an opposition press. It just didn’t work out though, with the Scots lucky their mistakes only gave away 2 easy 1st half goals. VAR spared the Scots a 3rd at that point, although that VAR induced decision was criticised by pundits. Brazil re-dressed that in the 2nd half, easily winning 3-0.
Lewis Ferguson played well in all 3 games & was the best performing Scottish player in both World Cup 2026 qualifying & at the tournament.
Regardless, Clarke’s team for the 3rd time at a major championship went out at the group stage. Clarke was criticised for the largely uninspired & unimaginative performances of his teams at major finals, exiting on all 3 occasions with too much of a whimper. History will look favourably on Clarke as the only SMNT boss to qualify for 3 major finals. However, his record at major finals stands at:
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 5 |
The Steve Clarke Scotland manager era ended when he honourably resigned within 30 minutes of confirmation of elimination from World Cup 2026. As Vinnie Jones famously said in the movies, it’s been emotional.
