What now for Scotland as Clarke enters final chapter?

At Hampden Park, Steve Clarke’s Scotland made their final auf Wiedersehen before heading off to give Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary what they had at Euro 2024, kicking off with a long drive of 165 miles.

By the time they had finished their farewell following a disappointing and occasionally chaotic 2-2 draw, those watching could probably predict what would happen in the coming weeks.

At the previous Euros, they had already witnessed it all. The sticker album and the T-shirt had been purchased by them.

That same feeling persisted in the air in Glasgow once more after a year. Clarke’s Scotland was bleak, weak, and meek against the blazing average Iceland.

The snarling Scots who had stung Spain’s noses were nowhere to be seen. No whiff of the streetwise duo that sucked Croatia and Poland into one day last November.

More questions than answers have been left over from another Hampden night.

Although Clarke may have won two major championships, there have also been some real raw alarm moments that have given it a dose of gravity and reality.

The most recent one was a sucker in the area. Don’t be cocky boys; remember that you’re from Scotland and that you’re not eligible for World Cups. You go down.

Although Scotland’s preparations for the 2026 global showpiece do not begin until September, this was intended to be the first step in the right direction.

The Scotland head coach didn’t arrive until an hour after full-time on Friday to comment on what had just happened.

Clarke maintained his tone and mood, as usual.

A lackluster start led to disappointment. Cieran Slicker, who had already experienced his worst nightmares after Angus Gunn’s premature departure, was clearly insecure, so there was sympathy for him.

There was a low-key optimism that Liechtenstein on Monday will be better the next time.

It couldn’t possibly have been much worse, in all fairness. In front of the world’s 74th-best team, Scotland were unoriginal and obliterate in defense.

Slicker, Ipswich Town’s backup, will be cursing his shoddy kick-out seconds after coming on that caused the opener. He will undoubtedly be replaying the goals two and three that he was unable to grasp.

This was a Scotland team that could not inspire enough to defeat an Icelandic team that lost 3-1 to Kosovo at home in March, including two Serie A champions, a Coppa Italia final hero, and one other Premier League champion.

Yes, it was a friendly encounter, but a warning is sounding.

The Scots stopped any kind of momentum that had come from three victories on the spin three months prior when Greece defeated them 3-3 at home.

In reality, Clarke’s side has struggled more frequently than not in recent years, despite occasionally receiving more praise for their performances.

Their final 21 games resulted in four victories. In that time, 42 goals were scored and 42 against. resides in Iceland, Finland, Greece, and Northern Ireland.

It doesn’t evoke the charisma of a Scotland team that can do the job quickly. a team that is progressing.

Former Scotland international Steven Thompson said on BBC Scotland, “Steve Clarke could do no wrong if you go back only a very short while.”

Where are Scotland under Clarke, Thompson is correct in this regard.

The former Kilmarnock and West Bromwich Albion manager, without a doubt, has had the best qualifying campaign for Scotland since the 1990s. After all, there are only two European Championships remaining.

Given how whimpering the Scots were each time, there was still a hollow feeling after both finals.

Germany’s fifth goal in Munich’s gruesome opening game had worn off as a result of the novelty of being there.

Clarke, who claimed there is a “75% chance” that he won’t renew his contract with the Scottish FA after the finals of the summer, is still eluded by a World Cup.

Some people are clamoring for that to be a 100% chance, according to a quick search on social media. Lastly, But after a friendly defeat, is that rational?

Scotland now has a group of players who are capable of playing in a qualifying group that includes Belarus, Greece, and Denmark. Would you subsidize their ability to get the job done with your mortgage?

Both Scotland’s forward James McFadden and Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes discussed momentum and its significance after the game. After three defeats, Clarke’s Liechtenstein team are now gearing up for their first game in Denmark.

Former Scotland defender Willie Miller said, “I think Steve Clarke will admit that it’s not good enough.”

You have to be honest with the fans, everyone, that that’s unacceptable, but I don’t see him changing any of his support for the players.

In reality, Clarke is unlikely to be able to guide Scotland through a qualifying campaign because nothing will ever happen in Liechtenstein. Despite the possibility of a second defeat, that opinion may change.

However, he should have enough credit in the bank, and he should have the desire to lead Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998.

We are likely moving into his final chapter, Clarke admits. How his team ends this international window and how he handles the upcoming days might have a significant impact on shaping his legacy as Scotland manager.