Aiming for Longevity
Steve Clarke remarked that a ‘draw wouldn’t be a disaster’ ahead of Scotland’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Greece. However, it seemed like a nightmare scenario was unfolding for the first hour at Hampden, with Scotland struggling to find their rhythm before their home fans. The situation became dire when Kostas Tsimikas scored for Greece in the 62nd minute, putting Scotland’s hopes at risk.
Greece had earned their lead, keeping Scotland under pressure and dominating possession. Yet, falling behind seemed to energize Scotland, prompting a dramatic comeback. Just two minutes after Tsimikas’ goal, the crowd at Hampden erupted as Ryan Christie equalized with the team’s first shot on target. The goal, a fortunate deflection off the Bournemouth midfielder’s shot, galvanized the home side and set the stage for a memorable victory. Lewis Ferguson stepped up to become the hero for the Tartan Army, netting his first international goal, while Lyndon Dykes added another, putting Scotland in a prime position to break a 28-year World Cup qualification drought.
Clarke’s rapport with Scotland fans appears to ebb and flow based on the team’s performance in various competitions. Despite the criticism following disappointing outings in Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, where Scotland scored only three goals and failed to secure a win over six matches, it’s hard to deny Clarke’s expertise in steering the national team through qualifying rounds. His impressive track record suggests Scotland could earn a playoff spot for the 2026 World Cup on Sunday, allowing the former Kilmarnock manager to become the longest-serving coach in Scotland’s history.
Steve Clarke’s Noteworthy Scotland Record
Breaking down Clarke’s tenure by competition reveals his strength in qualifying matches. Following the current international break, he boasts an impressive average of 2.14 points per game in World Cup qualifying contests. This comes as no surprise, as Clarke guided Scotland to a playoff spot in his initial World Cup qualifying campaign, although they ultimately fell to Ukraine. With the commencement of this year’s campaign indicating promising potential, Scotland may finally be on track to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998.
Clarke’s success in qualifying matches is mirrored by a solid average of 1.94 points per game when it comes to European Championship qualifiers. Notably, he led the team to Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, securing dramatic playoff victories against Israel and Serbia to facilitate Scotland’s return to an international tournament after a 22-year absence. However, his Nations League record has slipped recently, primarily due to the team’s promotion to League A last year, where they managed just two wins in six matches against higher-ranked opponents. Consequently, his average in these tournaments sits at a slightly lower 1.65 points per game.
While fans might focus on Clarke’s average of 0.3 points per game in international tournaments, it’s important to note his superior performance compared to many of his predecessors in terms of winning qualifying matches. Despite facing more games and tougher opposition in the Nations League, Clarke maintains an impressive average of 1.91 points per game, surpassing all Scotland managers since Craig Brown’s departure in 2001.
