Rising expectation around the Scottish national team means there is seldom a pause for thought. This is also the reason that, should Steve Clarke guide his country to the World Cup, the demand will be that Scotland make a proper impact rather than suffer the same miserable fate of the past two European championships. There is Scott McTominay, Andy Robertson and Billy Gilmour after all. Those demanding utopia ignore the third-choice goalkeeper at Nottingham Forest, Angus Gunn, and that the most reliable goal threat, Lyndon Dykes, is not guaranteed a start at Birmingham City.
Another reality is that Scotland have not topped a World Cup qualifying section since they progressed to Spain 82. It would be bold to assert Clarke’s men will repeat that feat more than four decades on, but they suddenly have a huge opportunity. Victory over Belarus at Hampden Park on Sunday evening – and if they cannot achieve that, they do not deserve to feature in a World Cup – would take them to within two games of glory.
