Steve Clarke: Scotland head coach indicators new contract to steer nationwide aspect till 2030 World Cup

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has agreed a brand new deal to remain as nationwide group boss till the 2030 World Cup.

The 62-year-old, who was out of contract after this summer time’s World Cup, is the one man to steer the group to a few main tournaments

He additionally holds the report for essentially the most Scotland matches managed, with 76.

Scotland start their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Haiti on June 14, earlier than group matches in opposition to Morocco and Brazil.

Following this summer time’s event within the USA, Clarke will hope to steer Scotland to the UK and Eire co-hosted Euros in 2028, after which the World Cup in 4 years.

‘Honoured’ Clarke: Stability key for Scotland

Talking after signing his new four-year deal, Clarke mentioned: “I’m really honoured to steer my squad into our first males’s World Cup in 28 years and I am proud to proceed as head coach.

“I do know the Scotland supporters admire the achievements of this group in qualifying for back-to-back Euros and equally certain the entire nation rejoiced in our qualification for World Cup 2026 after such a very long time.

“It’s very important to look ahead and plan for the future and, while my squad will be doing everything in their power to compete and make the country proud in America this summer, it also gives us certainty ahead of the tournament knowing that we can look to build on those foundations for the long-term and it is a privilege to continue in this role.

“Stability is the key to success in football and this has certainly been the case during my last seven years as head coach. It’s important we evolve and make improvements and I look forward to working with the new chief football officer, Craig Mulholland, to increase the pipeline of talent to the senior squad through the national youth teams.

“For now, it is all about making ready for the World Cup, beginning in opposition to Curaçao this weekend.”

SFA chief Maxwell: We can’t relaxation on achievements

Scottish FA chief govt Ian Maxwell, who appointed Clarke in 2019, added: “On behalf of the board I am delighted that we have agreed with Steve to continue as men’s head coach. His record speaks for itself: three finals tournament qualifications out of four, including consecutive Euros finals and, of course, an imminent World Cup return after nearly three decades.

“Past that, he has constructed a squad that the nation has taken to its coronary heart, making Barclays Hampden a fortress as soon as once more. Throughout our discussions in regards to the future, we have been all agreed that we can not relaxation on our achievements or ever take qualification as a right.

“The passion and enthusiasm with which he discussed that road map emphasises that this will not simply be a continuation but a renewed purpose and focus over the next four years.”

What’s Scotland’s report beneath Clarke?

Clarke was appointed Scotland head coach in Could 2019, changing Alex McLeish after guiding Kilmarnock to 3rd within the Scottish Premiership.

He sealed the nation’s first look at a significant event since 1998 as a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Serbia secured Scotland’s place at Euro 2020.

Clarke then guided Scotland to a play-off spot in his first World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, solely to then lose to Ukraine.

After lacking out on Qatar in 2022, Scotland sealed their place at Euro 2024 because the Tartan Military descended on Germany.

He has now introduced again World Cup soccer after a dramatic marketing campaign ended with a well-known victory in opposition to Denmark. Who will ever neglect Scott McTominay’s overhead kick or Kenny McLean from the midway line?

Whereas the Tartan Military have been pissed off by poor performances at worldwide tournaments – Scotland exited Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 with simply three targets scored and never a single win throughout six video games – few can doubt Clarke is one thing of an professional in the case of qualifying campaigns.

Clarke is the primary supervisor to steer Scotland to a few main tournaments, but the Tartan Military at instances have been divided on how good a job he has completed in his seven years in cost.

How Scotland advanced beneath Clarke

Clarke’s tenure started with a Euro 2020 qualifier in opposition to Cyprus, and he delivered a successful begin with a 2-1 victory.

Of these included in his first squad, simply six gamers have been named in his 26-man occasion for this summer time’s World Cup.

From the starters in Cyprus, Andy Robertson, John McGinn, McLean and Scott McKenna stay.

McTominay additionally made an look in that sport and has turn out to be key to Scotland’s success lately.

Rangers’ John Souttar was named in Clarke’s first squad however didn’t characteristic within the sport, whereas Grant Hanley missed out on Clarke’s first match, however made his debut again in 2011 and has remained a relentless.

Clarke has benefitted from having a proficient group at his disposal, however he has lacked a goalscoring striker.

He discovered a method to get targets from McGinn and McTominay, and it’s the midfield duo who’ve had essentially the most purpose involvements throughout his reign.

Aston Villa captain McGinn has scored 20 instances and arrange one other 10 in 69 caps beneath Clarke, whereas Napoli’s McTominay is on 14 targets and two assists in 61 video games.

Strikers Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes have been handed their debuts by Clarke. Adams, presently at Torino, has managed 11 targets in 46 appearances, whereas Charlton’s Dykes has netted 10 instances in 50 video games.

The supervisor has been loyal to his gamers – McGinn has featured most for him all through his tenure, with captain Robertson, McTominay and Ryan Christie behind him.

Celtic duo Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney and Rangers pair Souttar and Liam Kelly have been essentially the most fixed gamers from the Scottish Premiership, with all 4 handed a spot in Clarke’s World Cup squad.

However he has additionally launched a number of new gamers as he appears to the nationwide group’s future.

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland gained his first Scotland cap in October 2019 and has made 18 appearances, scoring 4 targets.

Midfielder Ben Gannon-Doak made his debut in September 2024, rapidly reaching 12 caps. The 21-year-old is in Clarke’s squad for America after lacking the March friendlies in opposition to Japan and Ivory Coast by way of harm.

Ipswich City’s George Hirst switched allegiance from England to Scotland in March 2025 and made his debut the identical month, together with his first purpose coming in opposition to Liechtenstein that June.

Findlay Curtis, 19, was the most recent younger participant to interrupt into Clarke’s group when he made his debut within the pleasant in opposition to Japan in March and he will likely be on the airplane this summer time after a powerful few months on mortgage at Kilmarnock from Rangers.

Lennon Miller was simply 18 when he was handed his first call-up in March 2025 and made his first look in opposition to Iceland three months later. The Udinese defender has earned 4 Scotland caps, however didn’t make the minimize for the World Cup after a troublesome debut season in Italy.

What’s subsequent for Clarke and Scotland?

First up is Scotland’s first World Cup since 1998.

Their opening match is in opposition to Haiti in Boston on June 13 at 9pm native time – however that is 2am on June 14 UK time!

Scotland keep on in Boston to face Morocco on June 19 at 6pm native time – 11pm UK time. Then it is all the way down to Miami to tackle Brazil 5 days later, and that is one other 11pm UK time kick-off.

Clarke will purpose to be the primary boss to steer the nationwide aspect out of the group levels, after which consideration will flip to their Nations League marketing campaign, with the primary tie away to Slovenia on September 26.

They play their six group video games in a brief three-month window, concluding with a visit to tackle Switzerland on November 16.

Scotland have been demoted from League A after a play-off defeat by Greece final yr and return to the second tier for this yr’s competitors.

Scotland’s World Cup squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli).

Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton).