BOSS KEEN TO WATCH A REPEAT
STEVE CLARKE last night insisted soaring Scotland won’t let standards slip in the Faroe Islands.
The national coach is adamant his troops are right back into the zone for their vital date in Torshavn.
Clarke and his Hampden heroes savoured jubilant weekend scenes after Saturday’s thrilling World Cup win over Israel.
Scott McTominay’s injury-time winner to clinch a fabulous fightback win put Scotland on the brink of the play-off spot from Group F.
With Hampden full to capacity for the first time in four years, the stadium erupted at full-time in an outpouring of joy.
Clarke’s troops celebrated vigorously as they walked to all four sides of the stadium to accept the Tartan Army’s acclaim and say thank you to the supporters.
But the manager, who will welcome back influential centre-half Grant Hanley after suspension, is adamant any feelings of euphoria are gone with focus switched fully to tomorrow’s vital encounter in the Faroes.
Although Scotland are now in pole position to book their play-off place ahead of Israel and Austria, the job is far from completed.
And the gaffer has made it clear the memorable success was just a step on the long road to the Middle East.
Asked if there was any danger that players could suffer a drop-off in the Faroes after the highs of the weekend at Hampden, he stated: “None whatsoever.
“At the end of the game, it was really just a little thank you and a ‘nice to see you again’.
“It’s been a while since the place was rocking like that. I can understand why the players went out there.
“It was more or less for the players to say thank you to the fans and then the fans have the chance to say thanks to the players back.
“We’ve already spoken about it. It was a good night, it was a good second half, it’s three points.
“It’s just one more step on the road to Qatar and that’s what we’ll focus on. The next game, we need three more points.”