Ryan Christie has admitted Scotland's players were left 'shellshocked' and gutted by Steve Clarke's resignation, describing the former boss as a legend and sending a clear demand to his successor: get the nation back to the next major tournament and take the next step.
Clarke's emotional farewell
Christie lifted the lid on the moment Clarke announced his seven-year stint was over after Scotland's harrowing World Cup exit. The midfielder revealed the squad had gathered expecting a debrief, only for the manager to drop the bombshell.
'Yeah, very emotional. He called a meeting to draw a line under the tournament, we thought. And, obviously, he came out with that and naturally everyone was a bit shellshocked and gutted, to be fair,' Christie said.
'Initially, when he first told us, 100 per cent shocked, especially after signing the new contract and stuff. But you know, I think in his head, obviously, it was time, that he'd done as much as he could.'
Christie insisted the criticism Clarke received was unfair given his achievements. 'I still think there was a bit of unfair opinions of him for what he's done over the last few years. For us it's been absolutely incredible. We've all absolutely loved playing under him, so he'll be sorely missed. He's done so much for us and obviously goes down as a Scotland legend. We wish him all the best.'
Big boots to fill
The 30-year-old made clear that Clarke's successor has a tough act to follow, but the squad is hungry for more after experiencing a World Cup for the first time in decades.
'That's it, yeah. We'll wait and see who comes in. You finish these tournaments, you are just hungry for more. So looking forward to see who comes in and, hopefully, we can go on a good run again,' Christie said.
'We were desperate to go to a World Cup, we've ticked that box and now we want to be able to go to a tournament and make an impression, I think. It's the next step for our nation as a football team and, hopefully, we can do that.'
Painful World Cup exit
Scotland were eliminated on goal difference after defeats to Morocco and Brazil, despite an opening win over Haiti. Christie described the exit as tough and emotionally draining.
'It's tough. Naturally, you come away from it and think what could have been. It's such fine margins. You look at the Morocco game and, if you get the penalty or you score a chance, yeah. It just ended up being a bit too far for us to reach,' he said.
'You feel a bit gutted because we were desperate to get out of the groups and it wasn't to be. It's an emotional rollercoaster. After you've finished with it, you just feel mentally drained so you do need a break.'
Despite the disappointment, Christie cherished the experience. 'Looking back now, I think what an amazing experience it was, seeing the Scotland fans over there it was incredible. It was so cool seeing all the fans out there and stuff and playing in those stadiums. It was something I'll never forget.'
Looking ahead
Christie and his teammates were left in limbo waiting for other results to determine their fate after their final group match against Brazil. 'It was a strange situation and still having to train as well. Normally you train ready to come up against an opposition or something like that, just kind of ticking the legs over if anything. But it was strange how it kind of worked out,' he said.
The Bournemouth midfielder now returns to pre-season on the South Coast, with the Cherries qualified for Europe for the first time. He expressed hope for a potential Scottish opponent. 'That'd be quite cool. I'd love that, especially an away tie, something coming back up the road. Get a taste for it again. You never know.'
Christie spoke after playing alongside Ryder Cup stars Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton, as well as Kenny Dalglish and Scott Brown, in the Genesis Scottish Open Golf Pro-Am. His team finished second. 'It was amazing. I think the coolest thing was, having watched these guys on TV, then watching them live and playing the game. Not a bad group to be playing with!'
