Steve Clarke insists that he’s not yet discounted the possibility of remaining in charge of Scotland beyond the World Cup.
Tuesday’s epic 4-2 victory over Denmark ensured the national team ended a 27-year wait to play on the game’s greatest stage.
On a night of breathtaking drama, goals from Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean sent the Hampden crowd into ecstasy.
A squad which broke a long cycle of failure by qualifying for successive European Championships will now travel to the tournament in Canada, USA and Mexico.
Clarke, who is now the first Scotland manager in history to qualify for three major competitions, will head to Washington DC on December 5 for the draw.
Appointed in 2019, the 62-year-old is out of contract next summer and has yet to discuss a possible extension with the SFA.
Steve Clarke gives the thumbs up after leading Scots to their first World Cup since 1998
Clarke beams with delight in the middle of his squad and staff as Scotland celebrate an incredible triumph
The former Kilmarnock manager has hinted that he might want one last crack at club management.
But, following Tuesday’s astonishing triumph – widely hailed as the greatest night in the history of the national team – the Ayrshireman was adamant that he hasn’t ruled out staying in charge of Scotland for longer.
‘I don’t know. It is 75-25. I am still thinking,’ he said. ‘I haven’t really thought about it.
‘My only focus is to help this squad get to the World Cup. We will go to the World Cup. I don’t know, my bosses may want to sit and have a chat. I don’t know. I don’t think about me. I haven’t given it any thought.
‘I wouldn’t be in a rush to do it.’
Asked about the fact there will now inevitably be a clamour for him to stay on, Clarke laughed: ‘I don’t know. It makes a difference for a clamour to get me out!’
On the possibility of returning to club management, he added: ‘I would need to go back in the gym and get myself fit if I am going back to club management because you need to do it day in, day out, day in, day out. I am going to leave it at that.
‘The door is always open. You never know what is going to happen in the future. Nobody can see ahead. I don’t close any doors.’
Clarke and assistant coach Steven Naismith join in with the joyous celebrations at Hampden
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Kieran Tierney is embraced by the Scotland boss after his goal made in 3-2 against Danes
Needing nothing less than a win to top the group and avoid a play-off, Clarke’s side had twice been pegged back as the game went into stoppage time.
Tierney’s rocket shot in the 93rd minute brought the dream back to life, with McLean’s outrageous chip from the halfway line in the 98th minute sealing a monumental triumph.
As the Tartan Army begins preparations for the biggest exodus since France 1998, Clarke hopes that seeing Scotland back at the World Cup has a lasting impact on the game.
‘This should stimulate or motivate young players to go out and become Scotland internationals in the future,’ he said.
‘Hopefully there is a legacy from this group of players to the younger generations and we don’t wait so long to go to the next tournament and the next tournament.’
A full-back with St Mirren and Chelsea, Clarke won six caps between 1987 and 1994 but was not selected to play at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
He feels the achievement of taking the team back to the biggest stage in the international game makes up for one of the main disappointments of his playing career.
‘I have been involved in football for a long time and you have always got that motivation to do good things with your club or wherever you are at,’ he added.
The celebrations go into overdrive for Clarke and staff after 4-2 victory over Denmark
Clarke reflects on a job well done as he looks forward to the World Cup finals in North America and Mexico
‘It was always in my mind that I would love to go to a World Cup.
‘I got close in 1990. I was in the squad that went to Italy for a pre-camp in February and I didn’t make the final selection.
‘From there, there was a motivation to get there. When we messed up against Ukraine, I was disappointed. I thought: “That was my chance, that was my chance”.
‘But I believe in this group of players, so I hung around. Eventually I get there. It is a lifelong ambition to go to a World Cup with my country and because of this group of players and my coaching staff I have managed to do it.’
Despite being drawn in a tough section with Denmark, Greece and Belarus, Clarke always believed this squad had the capability to come out on top.
‘I knew they were good enough to do it,’ he said. ‘You have got to navigate the group.
‘I still think to eliminate Greece as early as we did from the campaign was massive. Then we get the points total we did – it was difficult, but good.
Clarke was expected to quit after World Cup but has left door open for a potentially longer stay
The joy of qualification is written all over Clarke’s face as he rushes over to congratulate Tierney and McGinn
‘We got the right points at the right time. We should have got a point in Greece, but we missed big chances and didn’t get the point there. But it is a good campaign for me. It is something I have always wanted to do – go to a World Cup for my country. Hopefully now I get the chance.’
Clarke intends to fully savour the moment before turning his head to what now lies in wait.
‘We are out there for the draw on December 5,’ he said. ‘From December 5, you have until January 6 to organise a base camp. It is pretty quick.
‘I haven’t really thought about the ins and outs of it. I have got a rough idea that we are flying out to Washington in early December.
‘Then we have to work out where we are staying once the draw is made. The good thing is we will know where we are going. It is not a play-off, it is not a pathway. We will know where we are going to be. Then we can go there and look at all the facilities and decide where we are going to base ourselves. That is the first step.’
