Scotland boss sets qualification demand after watching side fall short in Qatar 2022 pursuit

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says qualification for the next two major tournaments is vital after a 3-1 defeat to Ukraine ended their Qatar 2022 hopes.

Hampden played host to a match where the national team were aiming to make it past the World Cup play-off semi-final stage and into a final with Wales on Sunday.

Ukraine have had football far from their minds amid Russia's invasion of their land but they provided a boost to the people caught up in warfare by sweeping past Clarke's men.

Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk strikes put the game beyond Scotland, and despite Callum McGregor's goal sparking a late rally, Artem Dovbyk fully sealed an away win.

It means the country's wait for a first World Cup berth since 1998 goes on and Clarke admits it's a bitter pill to swallow, but they must turn their attentions to Euro 2024 and World Cup 2026.

He said: "We have to qualify for Euro 2024 and beyond that. By World Cup 2026, this group of players will have more caps, more experience and should be better. That's what we have to aim to be.

"The best team won. It's disappointing for us but sometimes the opposition play better than you and that was the case. Sometimes you have to credit the opposition and tonight Ukraine were a good team.

"I've had some low moments. When I first came in, there were some very low moments. We've left those days behind I think, I really do. We've improved a lot.

"I'm sad for the plyers because we wanted to go to the World Cup together.

"We can't feel too sorry for ourselves. We're a work in progress. Hopefully they don't make me out to be a liar and they will qualify for another tournament."

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