Steve Clarke can seem one of football’s downbeat realists, but for a moment the Scotland manager sounded like a romantic. “I have waited 62 years to get into a World Cup,” he said. “I have been in football for 44 years.” Whichever way it is framed, his had been a lengthy wait. Scotland’s had, too.
Clarke had already become the only manager to lead them to three major tournaments. Now, no one has more wins at a World Cup, even if that is only one. “How difficult it is for a country like Scotland to go to a World Cup and win games,” said Clarke. “It doesn’t happen very often.”
