Glum Scotland players and management have left their North Carolina base and headed for home after their agonising World Cup exit.
Heading to the US with high hopes and plenty of backing from the Tartan Army, Scotland’s campaign started well, with John McGinn’s goal giving them a 1-0 win over Haiti in Boston for their first victory at the tournament since 1990.
But a 1-0 defeat by Morocco and 3-0 drubbing by Brazil left them third in the group with their hopes hanging by a thread, as they faced an anxious wait of several days to see if other results would go their way.
Steve Clarke’s side were finally put out of their misery on Saturday night when Croatia’s win over Ghana meant they could no longer qualify for the knockout stages as one of the third-placed sides.
McGinn, Andy Robertson and Tyler Fletcher were among the players photographed as they left their hotel in Charlotte.
And Clarke – who quit half an hour after their exit was confirmed, ending a seven-year spell in charge – was seen waving to photographers as he and his side made their exit.
Andy Robertson returns to the UK having joined Tottenham from Liverpool over the summer
Aston Villa’s John McGinn wheels his suitcase out of the hotel in Charlotte
In a letter explaining his decision on Saturday night Clarke said: ‘The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn’t have had any of the memories that we’ve accumulated from 2019 until now.
‘They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their Gaffer. Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor.’
But former Scotland striker Duncan Ferguson was critical of Clarke’s decision, not least given he signed a new deal just last month.
In his role as an ITV pundit for Canada’s win over South Africa on Sunday night, the 54-year-old ex-Everton and Rangers forward said: ‘I was in a bit of shock when I saw Steve resign. I thought he’d done a fantastic job for the country and got us to three tournaments. He’s been wonderful, you know what I mean?
Steve Clarke quit after seven years in charge once their World Cup exit was confirmed
Tyler Fletcher – son of former Scotland star Darren – makes his way out
Duncan Ferguson, appearing on ITV on Sunday, was critical of Clarke’s decision to quit
‘And I think he’s jumped the gun, he’s resigned too quickly. He signed his four-year contract, you know. Scotland weren’t gonna win the World Cup, so what’s changed from three weeks ago? Right, we’ve been beaten by Brazil. But really, who was expecting us to beat Brazil?
‘He should have took a deep breath. I think he shouldn’t have resigned the way he did, he should have waited, got on the plane. Go home, have a think, speak to your family, and then make a decision.
‘Why have you just signed a four-year deal and walked out? I don’t get that part.
‘Maybe he spat his dummy out a wee bit because he was getting a bit of criticism. Maybe. I don’t know the guy personally, I just think he’s reacted too quickly. ‘
When asked by ITV presenter Laura Woods about what comes next for Scotland, Ferguson responded: ‘It’s gonna be tough. Where is a good Scottish manager out there that can take that job on and do better than him?
‘I would like the Scottish manager to be Scottish, I’d like the English manager to be English, I’d like the German manager to be German. That’s just me. So I want a Scottish guy leading the Scottish team.’
Ferguson himself has coaching experience, with two spells as interim Everton boss and then the manager’s role at Forest Green and Inverness. And when asked by Woods if he would take the Scotland role himself, he responded: ‘I would certainly have that conversation, no question about that.’
