Steve Clarke knows Germany 2024 failure could kill his World Cup dream

Steve Clarke set his sights on the 2026 World Cup as soon as it was apparent Scotland would not feature in Qatar this year. The manager is aware staying in his position until that time is most likely dependent on qualifying for the European Championship which falls in between.

Ukraine’s 3-1 success at Hampden Park in midweek ended Scotland’s latest World Cup dream; their wait to appear on international football’s grandest stage will stretch to at least 28 years. “I need them,” said Clarke of his players. “I want them to help me because I want to go to a World Cup with my country and I told them that after the game.

“I said to them: ‘I can’t do that unless you get me to Euro 2024.’ So they can help me. That is serious. I would love to do it. It was a big ambition to go this year, it hasn’t worked. I would love to go in 2026 but results and circumstances will dictate what happens. But this group of players, whether they are led by me or someone else, definitely can go to 2024 and 2026.

“There are actually enough in the group that are young enough to even think beyond that. I am too old to think beyond that. I will just think to 2026.” If Clarke had ambitions of being a club manager once more, they have been pushed to one side.

Scotland’s players were given some time off this weekend, with Clarke hoping to oversee a reset before Armenia visit Glasgow in the Nations League on Wednesday. Analysis of where it all went wrong against Ukraine can wait. “We had shown a resilience before,” added Clarke.

“I keep telling you, this is a good group of players who want to be successful for their country. When you have got that, you are looking to bounce back in the next game, you are looking to do well and you are looking to start the