Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke insists the main target needs to 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 present unbeaten after three qualifying video games and sit stage 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 practical purpose 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 a bit private factor in the mean time. It shouldn’t be about me. It’s in regards to 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 try 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 all the time seemed on the gamers and also you’re pondering: ‘What can we do to enhance?’ Did I feel 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 no less than a play-off place for Scotland, nonetheless, 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 sport, can be a doubt.
And Clarke recognises the problem going through his gamers, however believes comparable events throughout his time in cost have given him motive for optimism.
“In my tenure, we’ve accomplished properly in opposition to the so-called lesser groups within the teams and it’s essential you get the factors off these groups,” Clarke stated.
“It’s essential 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 evening.
“They’ll make it troublesome but it surely’s as much as us to make it possible for we strategy the sport correctly, which we are going to. It’s as much as us to make it possible for we create sufficient probabilities within the sport to get the gang excited, which we hopefully will.
“The gang must again the gamers, the gamers want to present the gang 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.
