Take a bow, Steve Clarke — Scotland are going to the World Cup!
Whatever you said in that inspirational pre-match speech to the players at the hotel, it worked. Scotland captain Andy Robertson and midfield dynamo John McGinn both alluded to the words of wisdom and motivation delivered by the manager — words that resonated with every member of the squad, whether they were playing or not.
I have witnessed more than a few unforgettable nights at Hampden, stretching back to Joe Jordan’s header in 1973 against Czechoslovakia, which sent us on our way to Germany in 1974, but this was even more incredible than any qualification game I’ve ever watched. Three world-class goals, pegged back twice, a red card, and substitutions at the right time from the manager all made a difference to the outcome.
This was Roy of the Rovers — and then some. The number-one seeds in the group, Denmark, had better players than us, but they didn’t have the same togetherness, guts and determination that the Scots displayed tonight. As John McGinn mentioned in the post-match interview, “I thought we were pretty rubbish, to be honest.” But it doesn’t say that on the scoreline. Scotland defeated the top seeds on the most amazing night of drama Hampden has ever witnessed.
Three minutes in, Scott McTominay’s overhead kick had the Tartan Army looking on in disbelief and wonderment at one of the most spectacular finishes you are ever likely to see from a player in the dark blue of Scotland. The more cynical among us looked at the watch and thought, Can we defend for 87 minutes? The Danes then started to dominate, but squandered chance after chance. Ben Doak going off with a hamstring injury was a low point, but the tension inside the stadium grew minute by minute with each threat on Craig Gordon’s goal.
I had that sick feeling when Andy Robertson upended Gustav Isaksen in the 57th minute, but the agonising wait for VAR and a referee check at the monitor brought the inevitable penalty award and an equaliser from Højlund. I had my doubts about whether we could change tactics from sitting deep and defending to going back on the front foot. However, we got a shot in the arm when the Danes were reduced to ten men, with Rasmus Kristensen receiving a second yellow card for a rather soft tackle on John McGinn.
Even with an extra man, I still thought our best bet of gaining an advantage would be from a set piece — and so it proved. Lewis Ferguson’s corner caused mayhem in the box, and substitute Lawrence Shankland scored from a yard out. Suddenly, the Atlantic crossing was back on, but three minutes later Patrick Dorgu looked as if he had killed us off once more with an equaliser for Denmark. A Hollywood scriptwriter couldn’t have written what was about to happen next. With 93 minutes on the clock, up stepped another super-sub, Kieran Tierney, to curl the most exquisite shot past the outstretched arms of Kasper Schmeichel to lift the roof off Hampden Park. Surely there was no way back for the Danes now?
We were playing six minutes of injury time, and Kasper Schmeichel was in our half launching a ball into the Scotland box. Once again, that sense of doom returned as everyone started to plead with the referee to blow his whistle. Could the Danes come back a third time? Not this time. At 98 minutes, Kenny McLean picked up a loose pass, looked up and spotted Schmeichel way off his line. Surely not? We don’t score spectacular goals from the halfway line. Kenny McLean didn’t know that, and he duly lobbed the ball into the net past the despairing Danish keeper to send us on our way to the USA, Mexico and Canada. 4–2 to Scotland. Game over!
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has now guided the nation to two European Championships and the ultimate dream of a World Cup — 28 years after our last visit to the premier international tournament. He deserves all the praise that comes his way. He has written himself into the history books as the most successful Scotland manager in our history.
My only hope now is that he adopts a more positive attitude and style of play when we get to the World Cup next year. The Tartan Army don’t want a repeat of the Euros display in Germany. They want to compete and have a few more memories like tonight, on the biggest stage of all. The draw for the World Cup will take place on Friday, December 5th, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Make sure your passport is up to date! The clamour for flights, hotel rooms and tickets will start about two hours after the draw, but for now, let’s enjoy watching re-runs of three world-class goals — and a Lawrence Shankland tap-in — with a few beers from now until the summer.
As you well know: no Scotland, no party!
