Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterIt wasn't just battle-hardened Scotland fans who got caught up in the emotion of that breathless November night in Glasgow.The basic highlights package on the Scotland National Team YouTube account has 6.5 million views. That isn't exactly typical, so there must be a few footballing purists across the world who also revelled in the ridiculousness of it all.Steve Clarke's outfit, intent on ending Scotland's 28-year wait for a World Cup appearance, scored twice in stoppage time to defeat Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park.Scotland will converge on Boston and Miami in their tens of thousandsEveryone struggled to make sense of what they'd just seen, whether it was Scott McTominay's early overhead kick which inspired a mural in the stadium's shadow or Kenny McLean's 98th-minute clincher from the halfway line.Elation to dejection and back again. An outpouring of emotion at the final whistle, and the nation has barely stopped smiling since. You may like Scotland's World Cup 2026 fixtures: Dates, kick-off times and group stage schedule Scotland squad World Cup 2026: Steve Clarke's final 26-man selection Scotland injury news latest as Scott McTominay misses training before World Cup opener Haiti lie in wait, along with Morocco and Brazil, who were in Scotland's last World Cup group back in 1998.Clarke does have a few issues to wrestle with, though. Craig Gordon ended the campaign as Scotland's No.1, which is a fairytale in itself: he's 43, no longer first choice at Hearts, and has been nursing a shoulder injury since February.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.He has never let Scotland down, but it isn't an ideal set of circumstances. Alternative keeper Angus Gunn is reliable but stuck playing back-up at Nottingham Forest or rather not playing, having featured in one competitive game from the start of the season up to mid-March.Aaron Hickey has had no luck avoiding injury, while winger Ben Gannon-Doak had only just begun training in March after an extended lay-off. There is also the nagging concern that prominent players, McTominay and John McGinn in particular, are routinely run into the ground come the end of a gruelling domestic season, such is their importance to their clubs.Having said all that, Clarke and his players managed to make the pieces fit throughout qualification. Don't bet against them finding a way again in North America. What to read next Exclusive: Andy Robertson discusses Scotland's World Cup ambitions How to watch Scotland vs Curacao for FREE: Live stream details 'I was there in 1982 against that unbelievable Brazil side. I was on the pitch and saw them up close - but I dont think I played!' Gordon Strachan recalls Scotland World Cup memories and reveals his striker solution In comparison to previous cycles, Scotland have a good few players operating at a high level, but the real strength is still in the collective. This is a group that plays for each other and their manager, with a great deal of mutual respect.The underlying message is 'Keep the faith'. It's hard to believe Scotland were booed off the pitch during a couple of home games in qualifying, such was the tension in the stands with so much at stake. They got a helping hand from Belarus to set up a do-or-die duel with Denmark, but the players' perseverance got them through in the end.They've earned the benefit of the doubt.Clarke has spoken publicly about the goalkeeping issues neither Gunn nor Gordon seeing regular club action this term. Injuries and experimentation have resulted in him calling up nine different keepers over the past year.They will hope to exorcise the demons of a dismal Euro 2024, where the team didn't do themselves justice, and become the first Scotland side ever to make it to the knockout stage of a senior tournament. Beating Haiti in the opener would lift a lot of pressure.This squad has ridded the glorious failure' tag that dogged previous iterations, and eight third-placed teams going into the knockouts should help, but they still have to avoid a slip-up against Haiti. Oh, and put money on a bewildered Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti being asked about his son, Davide, once being linked to the Rangers job.It would be easy to say Scott McTominay is this team's most important player, but captain Andy Robertson sets the tone. The Liverpool stalwart, 32, will lead Scotland for the third time at a major tournament, no mean feat given their pre-Euro 2020 woe. He brings valuable quality, leadership and experience.Steve Clarke's critics say he's too loyal to certain players and that his football is unnecessarily negative. His results speak for themselves. It isn't by accident he's managed more Scotland games than anyone else he's fostered a club spirit and gets everything out of a core group.TOPICSWorld CupAlex MillerWith contributions fromJoe DonnohueSenior Digital Writer
