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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Steve Clarke makes blunt Scotland World Cup admission after Brazil loss

Steve Clarke believes Scotland are out of the World Cup (Image: PA)

Steve Clarke has admitted he believes Scotland are heading out of the World Cup.

The Scotland boss reckons the three points and minus three goal difference will not be enough for the national team to advance into the knockout stage.

As it stands, Scotland are the sixth-best third-placed side in the competition. The top eight qualify.

However, with most of the countries still to play their third group match, Scotland will need a number of favours to extend their World Cup campaign.

For Clarke, it seems Scotland will be exiting the competition in the group stage.

Speaking on BBC, he said: "For me, for sure I think we are going home."


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On reflecting on the tournament and the approach adopted, Clarke commented: "Only Scotland can get a winnable first game and then get number five in the world and number six in the world in their next two games. That is the level we are at."

Clarke had walked out of an earlier BBC interview as he apologised before leaving after a question on the nervy wait over possible qualification.

He said: "I didn't even think about that, sorry. I didn't even think about that."

The manager then left the interview, which had been conducted very shortly after the full-time whistle.

On the performance and result, Clarke commented: "We made it difficult for ourselves. That's it.

"We gave them the goals, we gave them the game they wanted, disappointing."

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