Steve Clarke hopes Scotland’s long-awaited qualification for a men’s World Cup will inspire the country’s young footballers. The Scots defeated Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park on Tuesday night to secure a spot in the tournament for the first time since 1998. Clarke believes the 24-year absence has harmed the nation’s football development.
“This should stimulate or motivate young players to go out and become Scotland internationals in the future,” said Clarke. “Hopefully there is a legacy from this group of players to the younger generations and we don’t wait so long to go to the next tournament.”
Clarke noted that qualification has become more difficult over time. “If you look at the stats, it is really difficult to qualify. In France ’98, there were 15 European teams in a 32-team tournament. That is almost 50%. But this one is 16 out of 48, almost a third. You see the World Cup getting bigger and think it must be easier, but it is not.”
Despite a lengthy career at Chelsea, Clarke was overlooked for the World Cups of 1990 and 1998. He used that disappointment to motivate his players before the Denmark match. Captain Andy Robertson said: “The manager’s speech was unbelievable. He went into a little bit about his life and the lads were quite emotional.”
Clarke added: “It was always in my mind that I would love to go to a World Cup. I got close in 1990 but didn’t make the final selection. When we messed up against Ukraine in the last playoff, I thought that was my chance. But I believe in this group of players so I hung around. It is a lifelong ambition fulfilled.”
Clarke’s contract expires at the end of Scotland’s World Cup involvement, and he is “75-25” of the mind that he will leave. “My bosses may want to sit and have a chat,” he said. “I don’t think about me. I haven’t given it any thought.”
