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Will Lady Luck, Danish doubts and Hampden noise favour Scotland?
The weight of history is evident all around.
Hampden Park, Glasgow. A shrine of football filled with both magnificent and painful memories.
The venue’s walls are imbued with the essence of legends. Sir Kenny Dalglish gracefully maneuvering past defenders. Denis Law triumphantly lifting his arms, a signature gesture. An iconic snapshot of James McFadden with the ball suspended in the air of Paris, while a bewildered Mickael Landreau lingers in the background.
As you venture further in, the expansive bowl of the national stadium reveals itself. It once stood as a concrete sanctuary, embodying the dreams of teams and supporters vying for their chance at winning a World Cup.
Currently, beneath the thick cover of plastic seats, the vast emptiness reflects the absence felt since its modern revitalization in the late 1990s.
Since Hampden was transformed, Scotland has not secured a spot in a World Cup. The last occurrence led to a ceremonial lap around a still-incomplete Celtic Park.
History. That is what Scotland possesses regarding football’s grandest stage.
History. And now a flicker of hope.
To those unfamiliar, the signs of favorable circumstances are present in the clear skies over Glasgow.
Scotland has navigated this qualification campaign with the elegance of a sumo wrestler attempting dance, yet has managed to achieve commendable results.
They withstood a first-half barrage in Copenhagen to secure a crucial point. After being overwhelmed at home by Greece, Steve Clarke’s squad somehow emerged victorious. It was no easy feat, yet Belarus fell to them on two occasions as well.
Even amidst a chaotic loss in Athens on Saturday, Scotland benefitted from Denmark’s puzzling draw with Belarus, setting the stage for a home victory on Tuesday that could lead to eternal glory—a spot in the World Cup.
However, this Scottish team excels in the unpredictable nature of football. More often than not, their performance is a mystery.
For fans who passionately support their team, there is no space for nostalgia.
Romance has dwindled for the Tartan Army. Fate holds no promises for Scotland.
Throughout the history of the national football team, there have been instances when one might think the football deities would intercede, saying, "They’ve endured enough; let’s offer them a reprieve."
Departing the 1974 World Cup undefeated. Bowing out of Euro '96 in the most heartbreaking manner. Suffering a defeat against Brazil due to a calamitous own goal, and after raising hopes with a draw against Norway, facing a crushing loss to Morocco. Triumphing over England at Wembley, yet not by a sufficient margin in a European Championship qualifier soon after.
There are recent incidents of disappointment following the team’s participation in two European Championships. After a discouraging collapse in the opening match, a solid draw in the second kept hopes buoyed, only for the team to exit with a lackluster performance in the final group game.
Collectively, these events serve as a significant caution for all those heading to Hampden Park on Tuesday.
Clarke brings Scotland into focus
This situation serves as a kind of tribute to Clarke, who has lifted Scotland from obscurity and brought them close to qualifying for the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next summer.
Since the legendary Craig Brown departed from the field in St Etienne during the summer of 1998, six different managers have tried and failed to lead Scotland to a major international contest.
Numerous play-off opportunities passed by, along with the international careers of several players who deserved better.
Then, in 2019, Clarke stepped in. After finding success at Kilmarnock in his home region of Ayrshire and a flourishing career in England, he transformed the national team from a loss in Kazakhstan to back-to-back Euros.
He achieved this by combining Brown's difficult-to-beat approach, an upcoming generation of players, and a few remarkable victories.
Scotland secured a win against Spain at Hampden, defeated Norway on their own turf, outperformed Serbia in a penalty shootout five years ago, and stunned Croatia in Glasgow.
With players like Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, and Andy Robertson—some seasoned and some emerging—Scotland has moved from obscurity into the limelight.
This rise has attracted scrutiny, some of it unfair, some warranted.
In the semi-final play-off against Ukraine in 2022, Clarke's squad fell apart during a moment of significant importance, much like the current situation.
Two Euros have passed where they failed to challenge their opponents, only managing to score three goals in total across six matches.
These past instances serve as warnings, but they should also inspire action in the present, if motivation were even needed.
The essence of this situation is that Scotland has frequently failed to seize the chances they have created for themselves. Opportunities have slipped through their fingers.
On Tuesday, this group has the potential to qualify for a World Cup—no conditions, no "what ifs."
Denmark has participated in five of the last seven World Cups, yet, similar to their hosts, they too have their vulnerabilities.
A weakness—previously exposed by the Belorussians—needs to be exploited. On the other hand, the intensity exhibited by Scotland during the latter part of their match in Greece must be mirrored from the beginning in Glasgow.
There is a prevailing feeling that Scotland’s outcome on Tuesday is less about how the capable Danes perform and more about what Clarke's team can generate and awaken from within themselves.
The standard is present. The motivation exists. The chance is available.
Now we are on the verge of discovering whether the bravery to seize it is present.
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