Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke insists the main target must be on World Cup qualification has he prepares for what will probably be a private landmark in opposition to Belarus on Sunday.
Clarke will take cost of the nationwide staff for the 72nd time and, in doing so, surpass Craig Brown as Scotland’s longest-serving supervisor by way of matches.
Scotland are at the moment unbeaten after three qualifying video games and sit degree on factors with group leaders Denmark after coming from behind to beat Greece 3-1 on Thursday.
Securing both an automated or play-off place due to this fact stays a sensible intention for Scotland, who will probably be hoping to finish a 28-year absence from the World Cup finals.
And Clarke insists that may very a lot be the main target of their preparation forward of the go to of Belarus to Hampden Park.
Reflecting on his longevity, Clarke stated: “I’d be a bit daft if I wasn’t proud as a result of I’m the primary man to achieve that quantity of video games.
“It’s good, however that’s somewhat private factor in the intervening time. It shouldn’t be about me. It’s concerning the staff and it’s about making an attempt to get to the World Cup in order that’s what we’re going to concentrate on.
“The temporary was to qualify for tournaments. We’ve managed to do this twice, however we need to do it once more as a result of we’re all grasping. The expectation was to do in addition to I may. I’ve at all times seemed on the gamers and also you’re considering: ‘What can we do to enhance?’ Did I believe it will final this lengthy? In all probability not, however right here I’m.”
Victory over Belarus, coupled with a Greece defeat in Copenhagen, would assure at the very least a play-off place for Scotland, nevertheless, Clarke will probably be with out Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Christie, who each scored on Thursday however are actually suspended.
Aaron Hickey, who hobbled off within the recreation, can be a doubt.
And Clarke recognises the problem going through his gamers, however believes related events throughout his time in cost have given him cause for optimism.
“In my tenure, we’ve accomplished properly in opposition to the so-called lesser groups within the teams and it’s crucial you get the factors off these groups,” Clarke stated.
“It’s crucial we get the factors off Belarus. They’ll come right here, they’ll be organised, they’ll be troublesome to interrupt down and till you break them down it’s an extended night time.
“They’ll make it troublesome but it surely’s as much as us to guarantee that we strategy the sport correctly, which we’ll. It’s as much as us to guarantee that we create sufficient possibilities within the recreation to get the group excited, which we hopefully will.
“The gang must again the gamers, the gamers want to present the group one thing to shout about and that’s what we’ll attempt to obtain.”
Scotland tackle Belarus at Hampden Park on Sunday, with the sport kicking off at 17:00 UK time.
