Clarke determined to lead Scotland to major tournament

STEVE CLARKE says the pain of missing out on a major international tournament as a player inspired him to become Scotland’s head coach.

The 55-year-old has jumped at the chance to lead his country back to a finals for the first time since 1998.

It still rankles with Clarke (pictured) that he sat out the 1990 World Cup in Italy despite going on the Scots’ trip to Genoa before the tournament.

‘I was one of the ones that got cut for the final selection. That still hurts me,’ he said. ‘So a burning ambition of mine is to take Scotland to a major tournament.

‘I spoke with [captain] Andy Robertson this morning and if everybody is as enthusiastic and determined as Andy, we will have a great chance. ‘I was saying to Andy qualifying should be the pinnacle of your career, to represent your country at a major tournament.

‘That’s the carrot in front of this group of players.’