“We’ll a World Cup. Not unhealthy.”
Steve Clarke cracked greater than a slight smile as the fact of what his Scotland facet had achieved on an epic night time at Hampden Park began to sink in after a dramatic 4-2 win over 10-man Denmark.
The World Cup had been a step too far for six managers since Craig Brown led the nation to France in 1998.
Scotland followers go into delirium as two late objectives in opposition to Denmark seal their place on the 2026 World Cup
“I stated firstly of the marketing campaign I felt the strain of the nation to try to get to the World Cup, so instantly that falls off your shoulders and you’re feeling just a little bit higher,” he stated.
“What a incredible group of gamers, they by no means surrender.
“I’ve stated it for a very long time now about how good they’re and the way decided they’re to be good for his or her nation.
“They confirmed that tonight, I could not be happier for my gamers, I could not be happier, it is incredible, it feels nice.
“Each single one in every of them gave what they’d, gave what they might give.
“We’ll the World Cup. Not unhealthy.”
Scottish followers went wild at fan parks as Scott McTominay’s gorgeous overhead kick gave Scotland an early lead in opposition to Denmark of their World Cup Qualifier
Scott McTominay scored a sensational overhead kick early on, whereas substitute Kieran Tierney curled in a superb end from exterior the field to edge the Scots 3-2 in entrance in stoppage time.
Kenny McLean then sealed a well-known Scottish triumph when he lobbed Kasper Schmeichel from the midway line with the final kick of the sport.
For Clarke it eased some ache after failing to achieve the final World Cup.
“Once we misplaced to Ukraine, I spoke at size. It was one in every of my longest speeches earlier than the sport or one in every of my longer chats with the gamers,” he added.
“And we spoke at size concerning the journey, so Serbia, we talked it by means of, how we did it, and the way we felt.
Scotland have certified for the World Cup for the primary time since 1998
“I drew a giant unhappy face on the board and stated how we spoke about Ukraine how we felt.
“And clearly, attending to Euro 2024 was a excessive.
“We spoke concerning the journey just a little bit and I informed them to recollect how we felt after Ukraine and to bottle that feeling.
“I keep in mind on the time after I spoke, it’s a must to keep in mind how unhealthy you are feeling and ensure that subsequent time you get to that stage, you recover from the road.
“Now the marketing campaign’s been up and down.
“However we ended up with probably the most factors. They made the group, made a liar of me as a result of I informed them firstly of the marketing campaign, you may want 14 factors to qualify. We solely wanted 13, good.”
Robertson: One of many biggest nights of our lives
Andy Robertson received his ninetieth cap as Scotland secured World Cup qualification
Andy Robertson to BBC Sport:
“The supervisor’s speech earlier than the sport within the resort was unbelievable. He went by means of the large moments we have had.
“Serbia was top-of-the-line nights of my life when the world was in a wierd place. Ukraine was one of many hardest, getting beat right here, and qualifying for the Euros. He stated, ‘Let’s make it one other one’.
“He went into just a little bit about his life and the lads have been fairly emotional. To do it for him, all of the employees, all our households, it should go down as one of many biggest nights of our lives.”
Robertson: Jota is smiling over me tonight
Scotland captain Andy Robertson remembers Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota on the night time he helped Scotland qualify for his or her first World Cup in 28 years
Andy Robertson to BBC Sport:
“We actually put the nation by means of it, however I am certain will probably be price it. We’ll the World Cup!
“I knew the age I am at this could be my final likelihood to get to the World Cup.
“I could not get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head at present. We spoke a lot collectively concerning the World Cup. When he missed out in Qatar by means of harm and I missed out when Scotland by no means went.
“We at all times mentioned what it could be like going to this World Cup. I do know he’ll be someplace smiling over me tonight.”
McGinn: Gaffer’s group discuss was distinctive
Scott McTominay leads Scotland’s celebrations on the full-time whistle of their sensational victory over Denmark
Scotland’s John McGinn to BBC Sport:
“The gaffer’s group discuss was distinctive earlier than we left the resort. What we have been by means of collectively has been excellent.
“It’s a privilege each time we meet up. It’s simply humble guys eager to do properly for our nation. We left all the things on the market. We’ll a World Cup. I simply cannot consider it!
“I believed we have been fairly garbage to be sincere, however who cares?! Denmark, even with 10 males, they moved the ball about higher and seemed extra assured.
“We have loads of trauma as a Scotland group, [taken] loads of hits. However to recover from the road is an incredible feeling.”
Again Pages Tonight talk about Scotland’s unimaginable 4-2 win over Denmark that despatched them to the 2026 World Cup
The draw for the 2026 World Cup will happen in Washington on Friday December 5.
President Trump will be a part of FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the John F Kennedy Heart – a performing arts venue the place Trump is chairman – to resolve the group stage fixtures.
Saying the draw venue on the White Home in August, Trump stated the World Cup was “the largest occasion in sports activities”, whereas Infantino declared the 104 matches can be like “104 Tremendous Bowls”.
The draw will happen from 12pm native time (5pm UK time).
Luke Shanley provides his ideas after Scotland’s epic victory over Denmark to achieve the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA Males’s World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
It is going to be the twenty third version of the match.
