Steve Clarke has outlined his vision for Scotland's future success, particularly at Euro 2028, following his departure as national team manager. Clarke, who ended Scotland's two-decade absence from major tournaments during his seven-year tenure, believes the squad is well-positioned to achieve unprecedented success, including reaching the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.
The 62-year-old manager, who guided Scotland to two European Championships and a World Cup, emphasised the critical role of a core group of experienced players such as Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Ryan Christie, and Scott McTominay. He highlighted the importance of these seasoned individuals in mentoring a new wave of emerging talents, including Ben Gannon-Doak, Findlay Curtis, Tyler Fletcher, Tommy Conway, James Wilson, and Lennon Miller.
In a Scottish Football Association interview after stepping down, Clarke articulated the significance of this generational transfer of knowledge. He stated that while the core group must be maintained, the squad needs continuous evolution. "There are a number of younger players in the squad now who will become the next core group. They should learn from the senior players that I’ve been lucky enough to work with," he remarked, pointing to the collective international experience of the current squad.
Clarke dismissed any suggestions that the current senior players are past their prime, insisting they are still capable of performing at Euro 2028, which Scotland will co-host. He expressed his anticipation of experiencing the tournament as a fan, hoping to see the team achieve what no Scottish side has done before. He also urged the players not to rely on any potential 'free pass' for co-hosts, stressing the importance of qualifying on merit.
Scotland, along with England, Ireland, and Wales, will co-host Euro 2028. While two spots will be reserved for the best-ranked co-hosts who do not qualify directly, Clarke's message to his squad was clear: earn your place. He underscored Scotland's strong qualification record, stating, "don’t use the free pass to get to the next tournament, make sure that you qualify as of right because that’s what we do, we do it well and it also gives you a great feeling going into the tournament that you know you’ve qualified as of right."