Scotland bedwetters calling for Steve Clarke to be sacked after Ukraine need to get a grip - Barry Ferguson

I have just three words for the bedwetters out there who want to see Steve Clarke sacked as Scotland boss now that our hopes of reaching the next World Cup are over: Get a grip!

Actually, I would usually throw in a fourth one just to emphasise the point but I’m trying hard to keep a lid on my language because emotions are running high after the bitter disappointment of Wednesday’s play-off defeat against Ukraine.

So swearing in print isn’t going to make things feel any better.

Disappointment? I must admit, I’m absolutely devastated Clarke and his players won’t be competing in Qatar later this year because I honestly feel they deserve to be showcasing themselves on the biggest stage of all.

For the first time in a long time we have a national team which is talented enough to go up against the very best of them which is precisely why there are some people out there who are screaming for Clarke’s head on a plate already.

I get it. It’s part and parcel of football in this part of the world.

But once everyone calms down for a minute, rather than looking to point the finger of blame in any particular direction, maybe we can reflect on what really went on at Hampden and be big enough to admit that the better team won.

No complaints. Ukraine were far superior, and as difficult as that might be for some fans to accept, it’s just a matter of fact.

Yes, Scotland didn’t hit the levels we had all been hoping for but sometimes, when you come up against an excellent opponent, even a very good team can be made to look poor. And that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday.

Scotland weren’t bad. They were just beaten by a group of players who were motivated beyond belief because of the disgraceful invasion of their homeland.

And two of