Euro 2020: Scotland's Andy Robertson can see packed Hampden singing Whigfield

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Robertson 'can see the Tartan Army singing Whigfield next summer'

Captain Andy Robertson is already dreaming of a packed Hampden singing along to Whigfield at Scotland's first men's finals appearance in 22 years.

Scotland are set to host the Czech Republic on 14 June in Group D of the delayed Euro 2020 finals after their penalty shootout win over Serbia.

The tune of Whigfield's 1994 hit, Saturday Night, was borrowed by the squad amid their celebrations.

"I think it'll stick for the summer," Robertson, 26, told BBC Scotland.

"I don't know who put Marsh's [goalkeeper David Marshall's] name into it, but I can see the Tartan Army singing it already.

"I hope the whole country can be buzzing and we're back to some sort of normality.

"I've been through six or seven years of hurt trying to get us there, but they have been through a lot longer and they deserve the moment to enjoy us at a major tournament again."

Thursday's win after extra-time and penalties in Belgrade extended Scotland's winning run to nine games.

Liverpool left-back Robertson hopes qualification will help heal what he suggests has been a "disconnect" between the fans and the national team during previous runs of disappointing results.

"Pre-Covid, we were lucky to get 20,000 at Hampden - that was the reality - and there was maybe a breakdown in the relationship between the players and the fans," he said.

"Some of the performances deserved that - they weren't good enough."

Robertson puts the change in fortunes down to the appointment of Steve Clarke in May 2019, describing the head coach as "a breath of fresh air since he came in".

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'I'll maybe give myself a pat on the back in two weeks time'

Clarke says he began to realise the "the magnitude" of his achievement in leading Scotland to a major finals after waking up to a flood of congratulatory messages, including from his predecessors.

But the head coach insists he will only allow his thoughts to dwell on the win in Serbia after their next two games - away to Slovakia and Israel in the Nations League.

"It's a big moment - it's sinking in slowly," he told BBC Scotland. "I'm sure by the time we get after the next two games, I can take a little bit of time out, give my grandchildren a hug and enjoy the moment.

"Maybe a couple of weeks in the future I'll give myself a little pat on the back."

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'When you wake up, you begin to realise the magnitude'

Serbia's arrogance killed them - Strachan

Former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan was full of praise for Clarke and his "absolutely magnificent" players.

"The shape was tremendous, the way they pressed the Serbians, the way they defended, the way they were brave, everything about it deserved a victory," he said.

"Apart from Scotland being brilliant at everything they did, Serbia's arrogance killed them. Serbia's problem was their arrogance in looking at Scotland and saying we are not chasing this game."

Strachan suggested the Scots had a variation in play - either playing through the middle or going direct to striker Lyndon Dykes - Serbia "could not work out".

"Serbia were so arrogant they did not have a Plan B - they kept trying to pass it from the goallie," he said. "Scotland realised they weren't good enough to do that, were weak-minded and played on that.

"Normally, the back players of Serbia have a group of players in front of them to protect them, so they don't really have to do any defending - the midfield defend - but Scotland said, no, we are going to by-pass you and see if you can really physically defend. Serbia went out wanting to play their way, but Scotland said, no, we are going to play this way and they battered them."

Rediscovered our gallusness - McLeish

Clarke's immediate predecessor as national boss, Alex McLeish, had been in charge when Scotland won their Nations League group to reach the play-offs and was delighted to "see them progressing".

However, he "couldn't believe" how much they were "the better team" on Serbia's home pitch.

"I think the Serbians looked really scared at the way Scotland started the game," he said. "There was a gallusness about the penalties and then a superstar like Mitrovic bottles it in his own country.

"It is a measure of how they have grown in belief in themselves and, come the Euros, you like to think they would be frightened of nobody. Let's face it, England have a bit of a world-class team and it's going to be such a tough game and the Czech Republic are a team who are on the up as well, but this Scotland side has grown in confidence and team spirit is there in abundance."

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