World Cup 2026: Where does Scotland’s campaign leave Steve Clarke?

Willie Miller, who played for Scotland at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, said: “You’re definitely looking at subpar performances in the three games.”

I look back at Denmark’s game (4-2 win in November) with those fantastic goals, but they were nowhere near those levels.

The former defender described the lack of a top-class striker as a big issue and said he was “unconvinced of the logic of a few selections”.

However, Clarke responded by adding: “We got there and that’s the job of the Scotland manager.

“He also introduced a real unity in the group, which was not always the case.”

With 81 caps under his belt, Clarke is Scotland’s longest-serving manager.

The support of the Scottish FA has been emphasised, with participation in three of the last four major finals increasing their trophy significantly.

Euro 2028 will be held in Scotland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. It’s hard not to qualify for shared hosts.

“I’m sure he can go again in the next few years if he wants to,” Miller added of Clarke.

“The new contract was a positive step, I think it was the right thing.”

Scotland conceded soft, early goals in defeats to Morocco and Brazil, former striker James McFadden said: “The defending was definitely below the level we’re used to and the mistakes were costly.

“I feel the players could have shown more, we could have done better against Morocco.

But a lot of people think we should have had two penalties and a red card in that game, which has nothing to do with the coach and the players.

“We gave two gifts to Brazil.”