Steve Clarke’s Scotland Optimistic Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

Manager Steve Clarke is confident that his team is eager to kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a strong performance, particularly with the return of talented midfielder Ben Gannon Doak, who is set to make an impact against Denmark.

Clarke, who has led Scotland through two successful European Championship qualifying campaigns, remains motivated to secure the one major tournament they have yet to qualify for— the World Cup. The painful loss in a 2022 World Cup play-off against Ukraine still lingers, fueling the team’s determination to make amends.

Steve Clarke believes his squad is determined to rectify past disappointments.

The squad appeared in high spirits ahead of their challenging trip to Denmark, with players eager to begin their campaign. The team’s morale is reportedly strong, with Clarke noting that recent training sessions have been sharp and focused.

“It’s been a long time since that play-off defeat to Ukraine, and every player remembers it. They are motivated to make amends,” Clarke said.

Injury kept promising young talent Gannon Doak from participating in last year’s Euros, but following his recent £25million transfer from Liverpool to Bournemouth, Clarke believes his time has now arrived. “He offers a different dynamic—quick, direct, and eager to attack the opposition. We missed him while injured,” Clarke stated.

The squad is confident and ready for the upcoming qualifiers.

With only six matches remaining in the group that includes Belarus and Greece, Clarke emphasized that the team will focus on accumulating points from the start, but does not believe a slow beginning will necessarily prevent qualification. Past experiences have shown that a strong finish can secure a ticket to Qatar.

Goalkeeper selection remains a challenge, with Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly not currently playing for their clubs, and Zander Clark struggling with clean sheets. Clarke plans to rely on his goalkeeper coach, Chris Woods, to make the final decision, having worked closely with all three during camps and previous matches.

Absences due to injury also pose issues, as Clarke is missing Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston but has called up Josh Doig as cover. Despite setbacks, Clarke remains confident that his squad is well-prepared for the campaign ahead.