Steve Clarke says “everything came together” as Scotland recorded their sixth straight win to end Denmark’s long unbeaten qualification run.
Denmark were unbeaten in their last 26 qualifiers for World Cups and European Championships and had won all of their nine matches in Group F to top the group but bumped into a relentless Scotland side that roared to a 2-0 win to book a home semi-final play-off.
Clarke’s men have now won six consecutive competitive games for the first time since winning six Home Nations matches in a row between March 1928 and February 1930.
Clarke told Sky Sports: “I get criticised for not smiling enough but if you can’t smile after a performance like that there would be something wrong with me. I’m delighted everything came together. We played good football on the front foot to try and win the game. It’s a good night for us. I knew the players were confident and they showed it. We had to dig-in but we defended well although the legs went a bit towards the end. A great night with a great atmosphere.
“It was important to get the home semi-final. I took a little risk playing the boys who were on a yellow card but we wanted to finish on a high. We had a chance to win six competitive games in a row which isn’t easy to do. The boys wanted to do it and they showed it on the pitch.”
Centre-half John Souttar headed home in his first Scotland appearance since being sent off in a 2018 defeat by Israel. It was a special night the 25-year-old Hearts defender, whose career has been plagued by injury.
Clarke singled him out for special praise.
“It’s the best story of the night,” he said.
“I’m so happy for him. He’s had a horrendous time with injuries to come back. Even to be in the squad. He was delighted to be back and to play the way he played. Not just his goal but defensively and with the ball.
“Congratulations to John. I gave him a big hug when he came off the pitch and it was quite emotional. You understand when you’ve been a player yourself and you’ve been involved in the game for so long how difficult it is on the road back.
“I’m absolutely delighted for him.”
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