Scotland's trip to Denmark kickstarts six games that may define Clarke's tenure

"An extra layer of poignancy was associated with the death of Jimmy Bone this week. An individual who made a huge contribution to Scottish club football, the robust forward's solitary goal for his country came in Copenhagen's original Parken. Denmark 1-4 Scotland in October 1972. The Scots, then briefly under the management of Tommy Docherty, had set themselves on course to qualify for the 1974 World Cup, ending an absence of 16 years."

"Steve Clarke will shortly become the longest-serving Scotland manager by games overseen. Scotland have a Ballon d'Or nominee in respect of Scott McTominay's country represented if not of birth and six games to determine their 2026 fate. Is this to be Clarke's slowest of final steps or a lusty skip into the pantheon of Scotland greats? The answer will be apparent by November. Clarke has 540 minutes to deliver what would by a distance be the finest achievement of his career."

"Nobody should underestimate the scale of this task. It has been clear for some time that Clarke views the end of this World Cup cycle, and his contract, as a natural time to conclude a tenure which began in 2019. Whether that inevitable departure is healthy is a point for debate. The more serious, lingering notion the 62-year-old has to disprove is that he is presiding over a team that peaked long before the numbing experience of Germany and the last Euros."

Jimmy Bone's solitary Scotland goal came in Copenhagen's original Parken during Denmark 1-4 Scotland in October 1972, a fact rendered poignant by his recent death. Scotland last qualified for the World Cup in 1998 and have missed subsequent tournaments. Steve Clarke is set to become the longest-serving Scotland manager by games, while Scott McTominay has Ballon d'Or recognition tied to representing Scotland. Scotland have six qualifying matches to determine their 2026 fate, giving Clarke 540 minutes to deliver. Recent poor home performances, defensive lapses against Greece and Iceland, and fan disquiet have raised questions about the team's current trajectory.

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