Scotland's chances of reaching their first World Cup since 1998 suffered a major blow after a defeat to Greece in Athens. The result leaves Steve Clarke's side needing results to go their way in the final group matches to secure automatic qualification.
Clarke had previously expressed concerns about his team's mentality after unconvincing performances against Greece and Belarus last month. The manager admitted his players 'panicked' in those games due to the high stakes, and the defeat in Greece has only intensified the pressure.
Scotland must now hope Denmark beats Belarus to keep their hopes alive, and then defeat Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday. Failure to do so would leave them relying on a playoff berth, a prospect that has generated little enthusiasm given the team's recent form.
The squad has been criticised for inconsistency, with key players like Andy Robertson, John McGinn, and Scott McTominay failing to perform at their best. Clarke's tenure, which has lasted six years and 72 games, has seen public fatigue, but he could become the first Scotland manager to qualify for three tournaments.
However, concerns about the lack of emerging talent persist. Scotland's Under-21s were thrashed 6-1 by Iceland in March, and many current players may be past their prime by the 2030 World Cup. For now, the focus remains on Tuesday's must-win clash against Denmark.
