Steve Clarke in Ireland clash quip as Scotland boss sends message to talisman John McGinn

Steve watched John McGinn lead Scotland to a glory night at Hampden - then urged him to do it all over again against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.

Clarke ’s side turned in arguably the most complete performance of the manager’s time in charge as they romped to a 3-0 win over Ukraine and brushed aside the very team which ended their World Cup hopes here in June. The win means Scotland are now just two draws away from topping their Nations League group and securing a place in the play-offs for Euro 2024.

But, on a nervous night, the Ukrainians resisted Scotland’s onslaught for 70 minutes before stand-in skipper McGinn fired the stunning opening goal to break their dogged resistance. And the win was wrapped up by a late double from sub Lyndon Dykes. And Clarke beamed afterwards: “It was his 49th cap tonight and it’ll be his 50th on Saturday. So hopefully he can get another goal on his 50th.

“It took us longer than we thought to get the first goal tonight. We had some decent chances but when the first goal went in, John did what he does well. It was a good finish and from there you could see the belief and confidence grow.

“When you’re on the side of the pitch you know your team is creating chances you are just waiting and expecting one of them to go in. You’re creating good chances and you have belief. and trust in your players to take one of them. That’s what happened.

“‘We go away and rest and recover and get ready for a tough game against the Republic of Ireland at the weekend. Obviously we went out there in the summer and didn’t do ourselves justice. We want to do ourselves justice on Saturday.

“It is a step forward. I think everyone forgets how disappointed the players were in the summer. They wanted to show