Steve Clarke believes his Scotland team are already legends as they prepare for a crucial qualifier against Denmark. Scotland, currently second in Group C, trail Denmark by one point. The match at Hampden
Park will decide who tops the group. Denmark needs only to avoid defeat, with a 69.8% chance of doing so according to Opta's simulations. Scotland's chances of winning stand at 30.2%.
Scotland has a favourable recent record against Denmark, losing just once in their last five encounters (W3 D1). Previously, they had lost five consecutive matches to the Danes between 1986 and 2004. At home, Scotland has been strong in World Cup qualifiers, winning 10 of their last 14 matches (D3 L1), including six of their last seven.
The reverse fixture between these teams ended in a goalless draw. Clarke remains optimistic about securing the victory needed to reach their first World Cup since 1998. "We always thought when the draw was made that if we could get it down to the final game here at Hampden that would be an achievement because we would then have had to finish above our seeding," Clarke stated.
Denmark has struggled historically in away games against Scotland, losing seven out of nine encounters (W2). However, they have been formidable in recent away World Cup qualifiers, winning 10 of their last 11 matches and keeping clean sheets in seven of those victories.
The stakes are high as the second-place team in Group C will enter play-offs in March, with 12 nations vying for four spots. In the previous World Cup cycle, Scotland finished behind Denmark and lost to Ukraine in the play-off semi-final.
Tuesday night, Hampden Park. It all comes down to this.pic.twitter.com/jWQzqRDar8Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT)November 15, 2025
Clarke's Confidence
Clarke emphasised the importance of preparation and focus for his players ahead of this decisive match. He said, "The players understand the magnitude of the game, but they just have to prepare for a game of football and make sure they are focused on how we want to play and on what Denmark might do. " He believes that if his team plays to their potential, they can achieve the desired result.
"If you look at what we've achieved over the last six-and-a-half years," Clarke added, "a lot of these players are already 'legends', but they're already very, very high in the ranking of what we've done as a country. " This reflects his confidence in his squad's ability and accomplishments thus far.
