Ian Maxwell: 'Insane' World Cup qualification was Scottish football's best night
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell described the scenes around Scotland's dramatic first qualification to the World Cup finals since 1998 as "insane".
The Scots' breathtaking 4-2 win over 10-man Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday night with added-time goals from substitutes Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean saw Steve Clarke's side clinch their place in North America next summer as Group C winners.
"It has to be the best night for Scottish football in the history of our game," Maxwell told PA News Agency.
"As a stand alone 90 minutes, it had everything; a penalty, red card, unbelievable goals, the highs of being up and the lows of being pegged back very quickly after it.
"Will we make it? Will it be another glorious failure that we seem to love talking about? The guys did not give up, but it was crazy.
"When the third goal goes in, everybody obviously goes daft, when the fourth one goes in, everybody was just an incredibly proud, incredibly emotional, crazy Scotland fan at that point.
"Everything else went out the window. That was all that mattered and the way it happened, is just insane.
"Everybody was so caught up in the way the game went and messages have come literally from all over all over the world, UEFA, FIFA colleagues, it's just been incredible.
"There will be nobody in this country that isn't aware of what happened, whether they're a football fan or not, it's just been incredible.
"Those are moments that will live with people forever."
It was a third qualification to a major finals for Clarke since he took over the national team in 2019 which, according to Maxwell, leaves the former Kilmarnock boss as "the greatest ever" Scotland manager.
However, there was something of a backlash against Clarke after the 2024 Euros in Germany where Scotland finished bottom of their group with one point from nine.
Maxwell was adamant that the Scottish FA did not waiver in their support of their boss.
He said: "Nope. No. A lot of people did and it's brilliant to see nights like that because it does ratify that decision and make you, I suppose, proud of the decision to keep him because he's been a massive part of us getting to the World Cup.
"So at no point was it ever in any doubt for him.
"A lot of the Scottish football public had a different view, which is fine.
"That's the game, but on Tuesday he just cemented why we made the decision that we did.
"Steve has been incredible. Our greatest ever manager, three tournaments out of four, is just an incredible return and I'm absolutely delighted for him. I am absolutely delighted for the players.
"They've been through a lot. Steve talked a lot about increasing the number of caps, and you saw the benefit of that in the game. So he's been absolutely fantastic."
It is widely expected that Clarke will leave when his contract expires next summer but, after the Denmark game, he said "the door is always open".
"I've genuinely not thought about it," said Maxwell. "The focus has been getting to the World Cup.
"Obviously, we've been lucky to do back-to-back Euros and this has been the missing one.
"So let's just enjoy it. Let's just prepare as properly as we can, see how we get on in the tournament and we'll take it from there."
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