CLARKE HANDED SCOTS MISSION

STEVE CLaRKE will get straight down to work in his bid to revive Scotland’s Euro 2020 ambitions after being confirmed as the new national head coach on a three-year contract.

The 55-year- old replaces alex mcLeish after guiding Kilmarnock to third in the Scottish Premiership.

Clarke intends to ditch any thoughts of a post-season break until after the summer Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus and Belgium.

The 55-year-old will be formally unveiled this morning and plans to meet SFa performance director malky mackay and other key staff to assess the organisation’s existing set-up.

Former West Bromwich albion and Reading manager Clarke will also work on assembling his coaching team — with Kilmarnock assistant alex Dyer remaining in full-time employment at Rugby Park — while assessing the condition and availability of players ahead of a first squad announcement pencilled in for a week today.

It is understood Kilmarnock will bank around £200,000 in compensation for his departure.

‘It is an honour to be appointed Scotland national head coach and I will undertake those responsibilities with pride and commitment,’ said Clarke, capped six times as a player.

Scotland sit fifth in their Euro 2020 qualifying group after two games. Sportsmail’s Chris Sutton said of the appointment: ‘What he did at Kilmarnock was an absobulte miracle. This is a positive appointment. The SFa have finally got something right.

‘It is a positive appointment by them. management is all about improving players and he has done that. I think he can do the same with Scotland.’