Play-off success allows a nation to rejoice again

Scotland didn’t just qualify for our first major finals in 22 years on Thursday night, our football also emerged from a long, dark hibernation.

In a lengthy dismal run in which six managers failed to progress the team beyond the group stages, a fear grew like an evil shadow that our best years as a football nation were behind us.

Fr a g i l e confidence regularly saw us wilt in competitions like an unwatered geranium.

Remedying that long absence has left Scotland supporters peering from behind their fingers, but Steve Clarke’s men did us proud in Serbia.

It may have taken penalties and we may have lived dangerously in extra time, but the mission is complete.

Overall it ’ s the best Scotland performance I’ve seen in a very long time.

Crisp and lively energy levels, with a quick tempo to their play and passing, the team gave a superb display of football and of character.

Progress under Steve Clarke has been like watching an ocean liner – it was clear that we were moving forward, but at sedate speed.

The win in Serbia has increased the swiftness of our procession.

Confidence and assuredness of touch and movement surged through the ranks in the first half straight from the start, and Christie’s early second half goal was delivered with the kind of craft and guile which many thought had been lost from Scottish players.

The front three caused the Serb defence plenty of concern, with Ly n d o n

Dykes – regarded by some in his early career at Queen of the South and Livingston as an average player – physically dominating the home defence.

I’ve written many times that there’s nothing in our water supply or gene pool to stop us producing players of the quality of any other nation.

The win shows that we’re now on the right road.

Clarke has steered the

team in a diligent and organised fashion, and has displayed a steely sense of purpose.

The effort from Scotland sides under his command hasn’t been in doubt, but for the first time in an entire game, the potential and quality on display looked of a d i ff e r e n t magnitude.

We were workmanlike when required, but overall there was a much higher

calibre of football than we’ve come to expect.

The importance of the win psychologically cannot be underplayed.

It’s hugely heartening to see our players give a truly accomplished performance, replete with the kind of skill which many of us were starting to think had disappeared from our national team.

Overall, not one man let us down.

From back to front it was a brilliant display.

When we were threatened, the defence, and Declan Gallagher in particular, repelled all boarders until the late leveller.

Then finally David Marshall with his magnificent penalty save sealed the win and qualification.

Goal scorer Ryan Christie’s emotion-laden post match interview was clear evidence of how much the result meant to the players and the nation.

Fighting back the tears, his passion s p o ke for every football fan in the country.

So we’ve made it to the Euros’ next summer. 22 years of hurt have at last been laid to rest.

Finally the nation can rejoice.

CELEBRATION TIME: Scotland players enjoy the moment after sealing a place at the Euro 2020 finals.