‘they Could Smell Magic’: Steve Clarke Delights In Scotland Repaying Fans’ Faith

Steve Clarke believes nan Scotland support could “smell magic” earlier World Cup qualification was sealed successful melodramatic style pinch a 4-2 triumph complete Denmark.

At 2-2 and successful stoppage time, Scotland were bound for March’s playoffs. Stunning goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean triggered euphoric scenes arsenic nan Scots earned a spot successful nan men’s World Cup for nan first clip since 1998. McLean scored Scotland’s 4th from nan halfway line.

“Right successful nan past portion of nan game, nan crowd was still pinch us,” said nan Scotland manager. “Every­body was successful nan stadium, cipher near because they could smell magic.

“I’ve said it for a agelong clip now, really bully nan players are and really wished they are to beryllium bully for their country. They showed that tonight. I couldn’t beryllium happier for my players. It’s fantastic. It’s going to beryllium bully and it’s going to beryllium a bully Christmas successful nan Clarke household, I committedness you.”

Clarke explained nan seeds of Scotland’s World Cup return were sewn erstwhile losing a playoff to Ukraine for nan 2022 version. “I told them to retrieve really we felt aft Ukraine and to vessel that feeling,” Clarke added. “I retrieve astatine nan clip erstwhile I said to them, I said: ‘You person to retrieve really bad you consciousness and make judge that adjacent clip you get to that stage’ – and I knew they would get to that shape again because they’re bully – ‘you get complete nan line.’

“They don’t want to beryllium successful conscionable for themselves. They want to stock that occurrence pinch nan country.”

Reflecting connected nan quality of Scotland’s goals, Clarke smiled: “Scott McTominay scored nan champion overhead footwear I’ve ever seen and it mightiness not person been nan champion extremity of nan night. When Kenny deed it, I thought: ‘What are you doing?’ but erstwhile I saw it successful flight, I thought: ‘That’s going to go in!’”

Andy Robertson, nan captain, said: “That conscionable sums up this squad. Never opportunity die, we conscionable support going correct to nan end. One of nan craziest games of football. We’ve surely put nan state done it, but I’m judge it’s worthy it – we’re going to nan World Cup and I can’t judge it. This group of boys and staff, it’s nan champion group I’ve ever been progressive in.”

Robertson besides paid an affectional tribute to his precocious Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota.