MX23RW : Monday, November 18 05:45:28| >> :120:77476:77476:

Head coach Steve Clarke signs new Scotland contract

Steve Clarke signs new Scotland contract
© Reuters
The Scottish Football Association announces that Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has signed a new long-term contract.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has agreed a new long-term contract, keeping him tied to the national team until 2026.

On Saturday, the Tartan Army begin their quest to qualify for Euro 2024 with a home qualifying fixture against Cyprus.

However, a day before that clash at Hampden Park, the Scottish Football Association has moved to announce that Clarke has committed his immediate future to the role.

Since taking on the position in May 2019, Clarke has been an overwhelming success, recording 19 wins and 10 draws from his 41 matches in charge.

Although the disappointment of missing out on the 2022 World Cup through the playoffs remains fresh in the memory, Clarke ended a 23-year absence from major tournaments when Scotland qualified for Euro 2020, which was staged in 2021.

Scotland's John McGinn celebrates with teammates after the match on September 21, 2022© Reuters

Furthermore, Scotland have bounced back from losing to Ukraine in the World Cup playoff semi-finals by winning their UEFA Nations League group, ironically edging out Ukraine.

Not only will Scotland play in the top tier of that competition during the next edition, they have guaranteed themselves a spot in the Euro 2024 qualification playoffs should they failed to finish in the first two positions in a group which also features Spain, Norway and Georgia.

Speaking on the development, the 59-year-old said: "I am proud that my coaching team and I will continue to lead the team through the next two qualifying campaigns, as well as Nations League Group A, but being able to do so is a testament to the squad of players who have been central to our improvement.

"The immediate focus is ensuring a positive start to our EUROS campaign against Cyprus, who were the opposition for my first match in charge in 2019.

"When we named our squad for the double-header, I spoke with my coaches about how the quality and depth of the squad has evolved in those four years. We now have an experienced core who have been constants throughout, but we have also added quality and competition in every area of the team."

Scotland play host to Cyprus having won their last three matches at Hampden Park, scoring seven goals in the process versus Armenia, Ukraine and Republic of Ireland.

ID:509791:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2927:

Click here for more stories about Steve Clarke

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Scotland manager Steve Clarke on June 6, 2021
Read Next:
Clarke names Scotland squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Steve Clarke Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!