Scotland Men's Football Team

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, PA Media

Scotland defender Scott McKenna admits it is only now starting to hit home that he is going to be part of the biggest football show on earth.

The Dinamo Zagreb centre-back says the World Cup has "always been at the back of my mind" since qualifying in November, but now that club commitments are out of the way, he is fully focused on helping Scotland deliver on the world stage.

"Because we've stayed in the same hotel [ahead of the Curacao game] and we've been training at Lesser Hampden as we do in normal camps, when we get to America, things will start to ramp up and feel more real.

"I think we've shown that in the qualifying campaign. If we get it right on the night and this group sticks together and plays the way it can, then we can definitely try to progress to places we've not been before."

Saturday's friendly against Curacao saw McKenna win his 50th cap for Scotland, a special milestone he "never expected to reach".

He will be hoping to add to his international appearances this summer as Scotland strive to do something they have never managed to achieve at any major finals and reach the knockout stages.

It is an ambition this squad seems desperate to realise, and McKenna believes head coach Steve Clarke has played a key role in instilling that belief.

After Clarke agreed to extend his contract, McKenna says "everyone in the dressing room was pleased".

"I think he's been so loyal to us and everything we've achieved is largely down to him," McKenna added.

"I think everyone's just absolutely buzzing that he's going to be here for a few more years."

We asked for your thoughts after Scotland beat 10-man Curacao 4-1 at Hampden on Saturday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ben: Good performance, although there were spells where we could not keep the ball for five seconds. Lawrence Shankland proved his worth in this Scotland squad today. Findlay Curtis and Tyler Fletcher were good also, sad to see Billy Gilmour miss out.

Lewis: Really assured performance against an underestimated Curacao team. Shankland is just what we need up top and Steve Clarke deserves a lot of credit for bringing in Curtis, would have been very easy to leave him at home.

Bill: A decent result, but one that was triggered by the red card. One thing is clear: Shankland has to start. He's already forming a partnership with Lyndon Dykes, so please heed this gaffer. We need to click before the opener, and it's obvious Lawrence is the one to provide the much-needed spark.

Andrew: Very poor first half - only when they play 10 players are Scotland any good.

Peter: Had they not had a player sent off I don't think it would have been 4-1. Glad to get the win and see how the boys are linking up.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland's Lyndon Dykes says getting to the World Cup is "massive" for him and admits he "can't wait to get out there."

The striker missed out on the European Championship in Germany two years ago through injury.

"It's massive," said the 30-year-old. "It's the World Cup. Any boy dreaming to play football, that's the pinnacle of it. It's been a long time coming.

"I'm dying to get out there. I've been training really hard and staying focused and giving my all for my team, like I always do. So hopefully we can do well and get out of the group."

Born in Australia, Dykes came into football "much later" than most, and admits playing on the big stage never really came into his thoughts.

"My story's a little bit different to everyone else," he said. "When I came through at Queen of the South I wouldn't even imagine to be where I am now.

"So obviously getting to the World Cup and the whole world's watching, it's just a dream come true.

"I missed out on the Euros last time and it hurt a lot."

"I'm just going to soak it all up. Hopefully I can perform well for my team, for my country. I'm just going to take it in and enjoy it because it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Dykes says much of Scotland's recent success is down to head coach Steve Clarke, who earlier this week signed a new four-year contract extension.

"He's been great," he said. "He's been my manager since I first came in, all the way to 51 caps.

"He's been the driving force to where we are now. We've achieved one thing and then we've achieved the next and we just keep rolling on. Now he wants us to be history makers.

"We want to get out of the group. But it comes down to him and what he's built in this team."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

Image source, SNS

Midfielder Kenny McLean is adamant that the younger players in the Scotland squad aren't just for the future, but are "the present".

McLean set up Findlay Curtis for the leveller in the 4-1 win over Curacao at Hampden - the Rangers player first goal for his country.

Another 19-year-old, Manchester United's Tyler Fletcher, came on his his debut at half time. And Luke Graham of Dundee, Dunfermline Athletic's Andy Tod and Hearts goalkeeper Liam McFarlane have trained with the squad this week.

"People speak about the future, but a lot of these young lads are the present," McLean said.

"We've had a few in with us with this week and I've been so, so impressed. Honestly, we're in good hands going forward, I'm sure of that.

"These lads can definitely make a difference for us present, and they've got a really good future ahead of them in a Scotland shirt."

McLean admits he wasn't overly invested in the World Cup when he was growing up, because Scotland were not there. However, he is hoping the squad of 2026 will provide a generation with memories this summer.

"I'm sure the whole country is going to be invested over the next month or so - hopefully longer - and we can give them some memories going forward," he said.

"It's something for everybody to get excited about. Six months we've been waiting on it, so it's finally here and just desperate to get over there now."

Two goals from Lawrence Shankland ensured Scotland's big Hampden send-off before heading to the World Cup ended in victory over 10-man Curacao.

Read the match report here.

Have your say here.

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Scotland double-goalscorer Lawrence Shankland: "We wanted to go to America on the back of a win and it was important we got that.

"The start of the game was quite difficult, they took the lead.

"We got fortunate with the red card but after that, we looked like the only team that was going to score.

"It's been a couple of weeks since I've played, so it was about getting back on the pitch. As a striker, you want to get on the scoresheet as well so I'm grateful I've done that.

"Every goal you score for your country, you're delighted. It's a special day, I had my kid as the mascot as well.

"It feels special. It's where you want to be. I've known all season this was coming up, so I did everything to get in the squad."

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Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes: "A good performance, we wanted to end on a high.

"We started a bit ropey, but in the end it was a great result and a great performance.

"You've got to give credit to Curacao and their attacking players were decent on the ball, it was a game for us to get minutes in the legs.

"We ended it professionally and it was good to see a few boys get on the scoresheet and have good performances.

"The squad is always very together, when we come back, it's like we never left each other. When we've won games when people didn't expect us to, it's because we're so united.

"We all want to get out of the group and be history makers. It won't be easy, but we've got a great squad."

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Scotland goalscorer Findlay Curtis: "I'm buzzing, it's everything I've dreamed of, I'm delighted to get that spot in the World Cup.

"It's a dream come true to score my first international goal.

"My mum and dad are in Tenerife, I booked for us all to go, and then I couldn't go, so they'll be over there watching with pride. Of course, I'm happier to be here - sorry, Mum!

"It was a massive decision to go down to Kilmarnock, and it's paid off really well, the experience of playing against older people was important.

"I just love playing football. I can't believe everything that's going on at the minute, I just need to soak it all in."

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Scotland manager Steve Clarke: "I've got to be honest, I wasn't happy with the start.

"The game didn't reflect how well Curacao actually played, the scoreline ran away from them a little bit. At 11v11, we had a little bit of work to do.

"I think I would have rather had it as an 11v11 challenge, but a win is a win.

"We had to get a lot of players on the pitch just to give them a chance to play again, quite a lot of them haven't had many minutes through the second half of the season, and I think that showed towards the start of the game.

"We're not too sure how bad Billy Gilmour's injury is right now. He will be assessed overnight, fingers crossed that the wee man is fine.

"I said already, it will be a squad tournament, not just a starters tournament, so next week is about getting used to the climate and the heat, and then for 60/65 minutes there will be a strong side out against Bolivia.

"The players were angry with themselves for missing out on Qatar 2022 and in Germany [for the group displays at the Euros], so hopefully they can use that as fuel to make sure we give ourselves a really good chance of getting out of the group."

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Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie says the new contract for head coach Steve Clarke was a "no-brainer".

Clarke has ended uncertainty over his future by signing an extension through to the 2030 World Cup.

The news has clearly come as a boost to the 26 players in Clarke's squad for this summer's World Cup.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Hampden friendly against Curacao, Christie said: "It's brilliant that he's managed to get it done before the tournament. Obviously, with the success he's brought us as a squad and as a nation, it's a bit of a no-brainer for me.

"We're all absolutely delighted that we've got him for a good chunk of time as well.

"Since he's come in, in terms of the professionalism, he's brought in all aspects, on the pitch, off the pitch, the hotels we're staying at, the food we're eating, all that kind of stuff, which has probably been helped with Andy (Robertson).

"He's been an incredible captain as well and obviously played at the top level, so he knows what elite football looks like.

"In terms of the squad, he's managed to maintain consistency. It's been massive in terms of just getting people experience of playing for their country and understanding what it takes to be successful and to play against big nations and get good results."

Christie has won all but five of his 66 Scotland caps under Clarke, who took over in May 2019.

The 31-year-old said: "He's just the main driving force. He's at the forefront of it in terms of everything.

"I think we probably lacked, before he came in, a little bit of an identity, whereas it's the polar opposite now.

"We're so drilled in what's expected of us from him. Everybody across the pitch knows exactly what their jobs are, what's expected of them.

"Because of the continuity that he's shown for the boys his whole time, it's easy to come in and just naturally fit into this style of football and what he wants us to do.

"Obviously, when you're winning games and being successful along the way, it certainly makes it a lot more enjoyable."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Head coach Steve Clarke has been speaking to the media before Scotland's World Cup warm-up friendly against Curacao at Hampden on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• It was important to sign his contract extension until 2030 before heading off this weekend for the World Cup: "It keeps the stability around the position of the squad and hopefully the future of Scottish football."

• Clarke says taking a club job this summer was "always a consideration" because "you never know what's going to happen". However, it ended up being "an easy decision" to extend his Scotland tenure.

• He adds: "Obviously, I know how much the players enjoy being together. I know how they enjoy working with myself and the staff. It just felt right to continue."

• The squad will change over the next few years, but there will not be rapid changes after the World Cup: "There is a natural evolution. I think sometimes people want revolution too quickly. I think we've shown that with the stability we've had over the last seven years, that it's a pretty good way to work."

• Clarke feels most of the Scotland fans appreciate what he and his players have achieved: "I think the Tartan Army are very thankful for this squad of players. They've taken us to three tournaments in such a short space of time after such a long time without a tournament. I think the fans get it. The fans understand."

• The team that faces Curacao will feature a lot of changes. Five players have yet to link up with the squad - they will do so late on Friday - and will not be involved at Hampden.

• Clarke adds: "That's not to say it's a training game, because obviously we want to win. We want to finish on a high here at Hampden before we leave the country. So no injuries, good performance."

Image source, SNS

Steve Clarke has been inducted into the Scottish football hall of fame as he prepares to lead Scotland in their first men's World Cup for 28 years.

The 62-year-old has also steered Scotland to successive European Championships since taking charge in 2019.

He previously had a successful spell as Kilmarnock boss, securing European football with a club record points total in his only full season in charge, and managed West Brom and Reading after coaching roles with clubs including Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool.

As a player, Clarke turned out for St Mirren and Chelsea - where he won the Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup - and earned six Scotland caps.

"It's an honour to be inducted into the Scottish football hall of fame," Clarke said.

"Especially when I look at the past inductees, who have made such a positive contribution to the game.

"Individual accolades should always come second to achievements for the wider group, and I'm proud of what the players and staff – past and present – have been able to accomplish, in terms of taking Scotland back to major international tournaments after we spent too long on the sidelines.

"They have given this country all that they have, and you can see the wider impact of that across the nation.

"So this recognition is for them as much as me."

The Scottish football hall of fame is housed at Hampden and has 120 inductees including Sir Alex Ferguson, Jim Baxter, Sir Matt Busby, Rose Reilly, Jock Stein and Elsie Cook.