Steve Clarke hails "best feeling" after leading Scotland to first World Cup in 28 years
Last updated 19th Nov 2025
Steve Clarke says taking Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998 with a thrilling 4-2 win over Denmark is the "best feeling" of his career.
Scott McTominay opened the scoring in the third minute of the final Group C qualifier at a packed Hampden Park with a glorious overhead kick but Rasmus Hojlund equalised from the spot in the 57th minute before team mate Rasmus Kristensen was sent packing in the 61st minute for picking up the second of two yellow cards.
Substitute Lawrence Shankland restored Scotland's lead in the 78th minute following a corner only for Patrick Dorgu to level three minutes later.
However, in the six minutes of added time, Kieran Tierney curled in a wonder strike in from 25 yards with fellow sub Kenny McLean scoring an outrageous goal from the halfway line to leave Scotland top of the section and straight into next summer's World Cup finals in North America, ending what will be a 28-year-wait before taking part on the big stage again.
"Special feeling"
Former St Mirren, Chelsea and Scotland defender Clarke, 62, who has qualified Scotland for two European Championships since becoming boss in 2019, said: "Yeah, tonight, it feels pretty special.
"This is the best feeling. I've waited a long time, I spoke.
"I've spoken to you before about how much I want to go to a World Cup with my country.
"I had a chance as player but it passed me by for various reasons.
"We had the chance against Ukraine (in 2022 play-off semi-final), that passed us by, and suddenly, you start to think it might be the last one, maybe the last chance.
"But it's not, we're there so yeah, fantastic moment. I feel great.
"I'm going enjoy myself tonight and tomorrow night and the night after that.
"It's great because I've now got three months where I can just enjoy myself (before warm-up friendlies).
"The lads have got to have a few beers tonight and then head back to their clubs, but I've got a little bit of time, so it's going to be good and it's going to be a good Christmas in the Clarke household. I promise you."
Praise for the Tartan Army
Clarke believes the Tartan Army stuck with the team right until the end because "they could smell magic" which came with added time strikes from Tierney and McLean, which sent Hampden Park in to raptures.
The former Kilmarnock, Reading and West Brom manager said: "The crowd were fantastic. I asked them before the game but they don't always listen to me.
"But this time they listened and they were they were great.
"Obviously, we gave them a great start with Scott McTominay's goal, that got them excited, got them engaged in the game.
"But even when the penalty went in immediately, the crowd were behind us again.
"When it goes 2-1, they are the right behind us, when it goes 2-2, I heard them again and that was really important, right in the last part of the game the crowd was still with us.
"Everybody was in the stadium, nobody left because they could smell magic."
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