Clarke's Legacy and Scotland's Rising Ambitions

Since taking charge in 2019, Steve Clarke has transformed Scotland's football fortunes, ending a 23-year major tournament drought with back-to-back Euro Championships appearances. With World Cup qualifiers looming, speculation grows about whether this campaign could mark Clarke's swan song.

Squad Evolution: From Humble Beginnings to £130M Talent

• 2019 Starting XI Value: £70M (TransferMarkt)
• 2025 Squad Value: £130M (+85% growth)
• Key survivors: Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Scott McTominay
• Emerging stars: Lewis Ferguson (Bologna captain), Lennon Miller (Udinese)

Visual timeline of Clarke's tenure through key matches and player development

The Italian Connection: Scotland's Serie A Revolution

• Scott McTominay: 2024 Serie A Player of the Year (Napoli)
• Billy Gilmour: 2023 Coppa Italia winner
• Lewis Ferguson: First Scot to captain Italian top-flight side
• Che Adams: Torino's new striking hope

Clarke notes: "Our players' success in Italy proves Scottish talent can thrive in elite leagues. This experience is crucial for World Cup qualification."

Challenges Ahead: Goalkeeping Crisis and Striker Shortage

Striking Statistics:

• Top scorers under Clarke:
  1. John McGinn (MID) - 20 goals
  2. Scott McTominay (MID) - 12 goals
  3. Lyndon Dykes (FWD) - 9 goals

New Hope: Kieron Bowie's Meteoric Rise

• 22 years old: Hibs' Europa Conference League hero
• Scored spectacular volley on European debut
• Made Scotland debut vs Liechtenstein (June 2025)
• Clarke's assessment: "A rough diamond needing polish but undeniably exciting"

The Final Countdown: Clarke's 75% Exit Probability

• Manager's March 2025 statement: "Three-quarters certain this is my last campaign"
• Unfinished business: Scotland's World Cup absence since France '98
• Critical matches: Denmark (A) 5/9, Belarus (H) 5/12

Tartan Army Expectations:

• Demand progression beyond "happy to qualify" mentality
• Seek repeat of historic wins vs Spain (2023) and Croatia (2024)
• Require solution to 15-game winless streak (2024-25)

Conclusion: Dancing Toward Destiny

With squad value tripling under his tenure and Serie A-proven talent at his disposal, Clarke faces his ultimate test. As World Cup qualifying begins, Scotland fans wonder: Will this be the triumphant final act of Clarke's international management career, or another near-miss in their quest for global football relevance?