FIFA World Cup: Who knows Scotland boss Steve Clarke best

Former Scotland assistant coach Steven Reid worked with Clarke at Reading and once described how his boss moved a cone by inches for a training drill.

Many who have seen him on the training ground have spoken of his attention to detail and Clarke himself has said that he is at his most content delivery session.

Jose Mourinho, Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit all hired him as a coach before making a belated move to management with West Brom at the age of 48.

Dicker said Clarke’s coaching had left “no gray area” for the Kilmarnock squad during his impressive spell at Rugby Park.

Clarke is sometimes criticized for his conservative approach but his ability to assemble a squad with clear instructions is a hallmark of his management.

Those critics were most vocal when Scotland failed to get out of their Euro 2024 group, losing to Hungary in their final group game without managing a shot on target.

Scotland have not won either of their two previous major finals.

It had meaning Four-year contract news The eve of the World Cup was not universally welcomed. Some would have preferred to return from the United States and determine his future. But it was clear the players wanted him to stay.

Clarke balks at the suggestion that he can’t cope. Given that he changed formations regularly, and gradually evolved the squad over time you can see why.

He comes up with solutions when hit by adversity, perhaps while on his favorite fly fishing trip.

Initially deployed as a centre-back, McTominay became a goalscoring midfielder for Clarke before ascending to the same role for Manchester United and Napoli.

Another example is bringing in winger Ben Gannon-Doke despite his limited experience, which has transformed Scotland’s 2024 Nations League campaign. The Bournemouth youngster is an important player.

“I think I’ve consistently shown throughout my time that I’m willing to try something different.” Clarke told BBC Scotland.

He is more relaxed in the build-up to the World Cup, citing lessons learned from the disappointing European Championships.

Clarke should use his coaching skills, human touch and experience to become the first Scotland manager to reach the knockout stages of a major final.

As he writes the next chapter of his career, this would be the perfect start.