Steve Clarke explains 'the Scotland way' after clinching World Cup berth in Denmark thriller | OneFootball

Coach becomes first coach to take Tartan Army to three major tournaments

Steve Clarke revealed he did not expect Scotland to beat Denmark the easy way after a thrilling six-goal World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park.

Stunning goals from Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, and Kenny McLean helped the Tartan Army on their way to victory, which qualifies Scotland for their first World Cup since 1998.

It also sees Clarke become the first coach to lead Scotland to three major tournaments.

Speaking at full-time, he reflected on his emotional tenure with the squad: "We've been on a journey. I spoke to them about it pre-match, about how this is the opportunity we've waited for. What a night, eh?

"We've been close to the World Cup before. When you look back at the Ukraine game, we probably froze on the day. We didn't play with that freedom.

"We qualified for the Euros, got to a play-off, qualified for a Euros. This was the chance. One game. This was like a play-off final. We put everything on the line.

"There's always one last step, and it's always the hardest. To put their mind at ease, make them comfortable, make them know they could handle the occasion.

"Some moments in the game went in our favour. We went 2-1 up against 10 men, but conceded and we thought 'what are we doing?'

“But that's the Scotland way."

He continued, lauding McTominay’s stunning opener: "Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick I've ever seen and it might not have been the best goal of the night!”

Scotland’s late resurgence, though, was down to a tactical tweak. When Denmark went down to ten men as Rasmus Kristensen was sent off, he added a second striker into the mix.

"It was a lot of emotions. High and low. At times, you're looking for solutions and thinking how to change it. I knew at some stage we'd have to go two up front.

"I felt the Danes were dominating us a little. It seemed like a good time [to make the changes]. Whether they were 10 or 11 [men], we were going to do that.”

While the changes worked, Tierney’s 93rd-minute curler was still struck Clarke as something of a bolt from the blue - as did McLean’s halfway-line screamer moments later.

"I spoke to Kieran [Tierney] before the first game. He's a key player for me, one of my men. I've got loads of them. 14 were involved in the play-off game.

"I said 'listen, Aaron Hickey can't do back-to-back games, I can see you coming on at right-back and doing very well for us'.

"I'm not sure I envisioned the goal... but when it was rolling back to him on his left foot, I knew he would score.

"When [Kenny] hit it, I thought 'what are you doing?!' but when I saw it in flight, I thought 'that's going to go in!'"