Steve Clarke says Scotland have put a marker down of their bid to qualify for Euro 2024 after securing a well-known 2-0 victory over Spain at Hampden Park, however he warned there may be nonetheless a protracted approach to go to seal qualification.
Scott McTominay scored a double because the Scots secured a primary win over Spain since 1984 to take management of their Euro 2024 qualifying marketing campaign.
Clarke’s males now sit prime of Group A after back-to-back wins, however he says there may be nonetheless loads of work to do for Scotland to achieve a second straight European Championships.
“You do not qualify with six factors so we have a protracted approach to go,” he stated.
“Two good performances over the 9 days we have been collectively. It was essential to capitalise on the house video games as a lot as we may and we have managed to try this with most factors.
“All of the credit score goes to the gamers, 16 on the pitch tonight and never one allow us to down. Seven gamers within the stand simply each bit as joyful as everybody else.
“Now we have group and we’re working arduous to get higher and higher. Tonight was an opportunity to place our mark on the group.
Picture:
Scotland’s Scott Tominay and Andy Robertson rejoice after making it 1-0
“We need to be aggressive towards the highest groups and that is what we did.”
He added: “It ought to give the gamers extra perception.
“That is the final two prime groups, Spain and Norway in World Cup qualifying, have come to Hampden and left with no factors in order that’s a step ahead by way of believing in what we’re making an attempt to do.
“It is essential to remain grounded as there’s nonetheless a protracted approach to go within the group and, as we all know to our price, one recreation can price you dearly.”
‘Scotland in an awesome place in Group A’
Former Scotland worldwide David Marshall on Sky Sports activities Information:
“Traditionally, individuals nonetheless speak concerning the Kenny Dalglish winner towards Spain in 1984 so they are going to be speaking about this win for years to return.
“Nevertheless, the largest factor about this win is the place it places us in for the remainder of this marketing campaign and the boldness the crew will take from it.
“Everyone has been speaking about us being in competitors with Norway and Georgia for the second spot on this group, however Scotland have a unbelievable squad now. There’s actual depth. There have been a number of accidents within the recreation and the boys approaching are the same normal.
“It is a sensible night time for the followers and the gamers, however what a place it places Scotland in to qualify mechanically for Euro 2024.”
‘The supervisor instructed us this was our likelihood’
Scotland hero McTominay continued his good scoring kind, netting twice for the second straight recreation, and the Manchester United midfielder revealed that supervisor Clarke instructed the gamers that they had an opportunity to create their very own legacy towards Spain.
“We did actually, rather well,” he stated. “We knew they’d have a number of the ball, and the supervisor stated to be scientific after we had the alternatives, and I believed we had sufficient alternatives tonight to essentially harm them and rating some targets.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Scotland ahead Ryan Christie reacts after his facet beat Spain 2-0 of their Euro 2024 qualifying match.
“As a child, I used to be an attacking midfielder – I prefer to get within the field. I’ve received to maintain doing that, I do know I can add extra targets and assists to my recreation.
“Have a look at this place – I’ve by no means seen something prefer it, unbelievable.
“The supervisor stated that is our likelihood to create legacies as Scotland gamers and these are the nights in 20, 30 years that folks bear in mind. We will not thank the followers sufficient.”
Marshall’s reward for McTominay…
Former Scotland worldwide David Marshall on Sky Sports activities Information:
“There have been so many good performances from Scotland.
“However I am joyful for Scott [McTominay]. He works so arduous and is an unbelievable athlete.
“He proven over the past two video games that he is good for a objective as effectively. They have been two unbelievable strikes together with his left foot towards Spain.
“He produced a superb efficiency and I am certain individuals at Manchester United shall be taking observe forward of the weekend.”
‘Clarke deserves a lot credit score’
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
David Marshall claims that the 2-0 win over Spain at Hampden Park within the European Qualifier shall be remembered for years to return and means that Steve Clarke’s facet at the moment are in an awesome place to qualify for the 2024 Euros.
Former Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall, who watched Scotland’s win over Spain for Sky Sports activities Information, believes the Scots now have an awesome mix of youth and expertise within the squad and says supervisor Clarke deserves loads of credit score for the modifications he is made.
“It is easy to say how effectively it has gone if you find yourself profitable video games,” Marshall stated.
“Initially we struggled. We gained our first recreation underneath Clarke however then we had Belgium and Russia twice and misplaced 4 video games.
“He made loads of modifications to the squad. He knew precisely what he needed and what sort of character he needed inside the squad, and he constructed it.
“It was an actual close-knit squad that received us to the Euros and with worldwide soccer there may be at all times loads of turnover however he is added to it.
Picture:
Scotland gamers rejoice at full-time
“There are unbelievable younger gamers coming in and it’s only a nice combine. It is an awesome mix of gamers and the supervisor has to take monumental credit score for what he is carried out. It is so large for Scotland that he is signed a brand new contract.
“We have had loads of disappointments previously however that could be a big win. Let’s hope we will kick on now, qualify for Euro 2024 after which make it an everyday prevalence at main tournaments.
He added: “Clarke would not present a lot emotion. He is very a lot for the gamers. He backs his gamers, and that dressing room shall be bouncing.
“Will probably be a particularly joyful camp after that.
“The techniques have been spot on and Spain did not actually lay a glove on Scotland. The win may have been by extra and an enormous quantity of credit score has to go to the supervisor.”
‘The way in which they play is garbage’
Picture:
Rodri criticised Scotland’s fashion of play after his misplaced 2-0 at Hampden Park
Spain had not been overwhelmed in Euro qualifying since 2014, once they have been overwhelmed 2-1 by Slovakia forward of the 2016 match in France.
They’d gained 34 of their final 38 European qualifying matches, with three attracts, however at Hampden Park they regarded unsettled.
Man Metropolis midfielder Rodri skippered a facet that includes eight modifications from their earlier recreation, and he criticised the way in which Scotland went about their work.
“We did many good issues to win,” he stated on Viaplay. “We conceded straightforward targets – that is soccer, in case you concede straightforward targets you might be penalised.
“It is the way in which they play, however for me it is garbage, at all times losing time, upsetting you, at all times they fall. For me, this isn’t soccer. The referee has to tackle this, however he says nothing.
“We are going to be taught for the subsequent time. We need to go for duels, for battles – we at all times battle, however this isn’t about combating. It is about losing time – 4, 5 gamers on the ground, however this is determined by the referee, not on us.
“At present we did many good issues, however what’s essential is the objective, and we did not rating.”
It was a tricky night time for us. We could not make the most of our probabilities and so they received the targets in transitions.
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino
‘Euros qualification is now reasonable for Scotland’ | Steve Clarke created togetherness
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
The Mirror’s John Cross and Sam Wallace from the Day by day Telegraph focus on Scotland’s 2-0 win over Spain in European Championship qualification.
Opta stats: A primary win over Spain since 1984, 5 wins in a row at dwelling – Scotland’s beautiful night time in stats…
Picture:
Scotland secured a win over Spain for the primary time since 1984
Scotland earned their first win over Spain since November 1984 (3-1 in a World Cup qualifier), whereas this was simply their third ever aggressive victory towards them (1957, 1984 and 2023).Scotland have gained 5 consecutive dwelling matches for the primary time since September 2006-October 2007, once they gained six in a row between tenures of Walter Smith and Alex McLeish.Spain suffered their first defeat in a Euro qualifying match since October 2014 (1-2 v Slovakia), having gained 17 of their final 19 such fixtures (D2) and by no means conceding greater than as soon as in a recreation on this run.What’s subsequent?
Scotland’s subsequent Euro 2024 qualifiers are in June.
They’re away to Norway on June 17 earlier than a match towards Georgia at Hampden Park on June 20.