It is an indicator of the confidence flowing through the Scotland scene that Steve Clarke believes the Euro 2024 playoff secured alongside promotion from Group B of the Nations League will not be required.
The taking of seven points from a possible nine inside a week saw Scotland holdoff Ukraine to claim a berth in section A. The spin-offs are potentially more significant: Scotland will be in pot two for the Euro 2024 qualifying draw on 9 October and have that playoff spot as a fallback option if they fail to qualify, which was how they reached Euro 2020. “I don’t think, with this group of players, that we will need it,” Clarke said. “That’s my honest opinion.
It’s nice to have the safety net of the playoffs but I feel we can qualify outright. I would expect this team to qualify directly. “I haven’t looked at who is there yet or who we can get.
I want to enjoy this week. I want the Scottish public to enjoy this week. I want the players to go away feeling absolutely brilliant about themselves.