Scotland Men's Football Team

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Scotland winger Ben Gannon-Doak faces a lengthy spell out after being taken off on a stretcher during Tuesday's World Cup place-clinching win over Denmark.

The Bournemouth 20-year-old set up Scott McTominay's overhead kick opener at Hampden but went down injured and left the field in the 21st minute.

Cherries manager Andoni Iraol described Gannon-Doak's problem as a "big hamstring injury" that may require surgery and he expects the Scot to be out for months.

Gannon-Doak joined Bournemouth from Liverpool in August and has made six appearances for the Premier League side.

He was winning his 11th Scotland cap against the Danes and had scored his first senior international goal in the previous match against Greece.

After securing a place at next summer's finals, Steve Clarke's Scots have no fixtures scheduled but are likely to have a series of friendly matches before next summer.

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Scotland defender Grant Hanley would currently be turning out for Lechia Gdansk rather than Hibs if John Carver had got his way.

Hanley, 33, has been an impressive addition to the Hibs backline since joining on a free in the summer and is a key player in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad, who are World Cup bound next summer after topping their qualifying group in dramatic fashion.

Carver, who stepped down as Scotland assistant in June to focus solely on his role as Lechia Gdansk manager, has revealed he tried to bring Hanley to Poland.

"I actually had a conversation with Grant about him coming across to Lechia Gdansk," Carver told BBC Sort.

"He was up for it, before he signed for Hibernian, he was up for coming across. But we have a criteria here that we only sign players of a certain age.

"Obviously Grant is getting on a little bit, but what a guy, what a super guy, what a character, what a professional, and he deserves to go to the World Cup more than anybody."

Scotland will avoid England and other major European nations like Spain, France and Germany in next month's World Cup qualifying draw, with Fifa expected to reward all of Uefa's automatic qualifiers by placing them into one of the 12 groups. (Scottish Sun), external

Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and former club Manchester United have sounded out Scott McTominay's camp about a return to the Premier League, but Napoli would reject any bid below £70.5m for the 28-year-old Scotland midfielder. (TeamTalk), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Loyalty has been a key theme in Scotland ending the long wait for a World Cup return.

Steve Clarke has repeatedly shown faith in a settled squad and the Scottish FA insist there was "never any doubt" about sticking with their head coach.

"Our greatest ever manager," said SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell of Clarke. "Three tournaments out of four is just an incredible return."

Clarke and his players are being hailed as national heroes after Tuesday's thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden clinched a first World Cup qualification since 1998.

A far cry from the disgruntlement after the Scots were eliminated at the group stage at the Euro 2024 in Germany, picking up one point from three matches.

There was a run of just one win in 14 games, with that solitary success coming in a friendly against Gibraltar.

"It wasn't that long after the Euros that a lot of people didn't want him to be the manager anymore," said Maxwell.

"That's the swings and roundabouts of being a head coach. There was never any doubt that we were going to stick by him and we were all focused on getting to the World Cup."

Clarke's previous World Cup campaign ended with a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Ukraine in the play-off semi-finals for Qatar 2022.

"Reaching a World Cup finals has been a missing link for him and we're going to prepare as well as we can," added Maxwell, who was full of praise for Clarke's methods.

"Steve talked a lot about increasing the number of caps, and you saw the benefit of that," he said.

"Getting that amount of players playing that number of international matches bears fruit in the last minutes when you're playing Denmark and you need to find a goal and you need to hang on there, because the guys have been there and done it.

"They've played in a lot of big games and for the vast majority have been able to grind out results so you can't underestimate that loyalty.

"I couldn't be happier for Steve. I couldn't be happier for the group of players and they'll be taking every pint that comes their way because they absolutely deserve it."

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Motherwell's Danish manager Jens Berthel Askou expressed his delight for Scotland despite his country being denied automatic World Cup qualification by Steve Clarke's side.

Askou attended Hampden on Tuesday with assistant coach Max Rogers and some members of the Fir Park club's board.

The former Norwich defender watched an incredible occasion unfold as the Scots came out on top in an astonishing finale to win 4-2 in a group decider.

"It was a great experience to feel the enthusiasm and the joy in the stadium," the Well boss said.

"I'm really happy on Scotland's behalf, and everyone here who is passionate about the national team.

"I think there's a lot of people who are that, so I'm really happy for you that you qualified."

Askou says his primary focus is on Motherwell but believes it is important his players dream of being able to represent their nation at the World Cup.

Elliot Watt has been one of the standout midfielders in the Scottish Premiership this season and has represented Scotland at youth level.

So too has on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh, while Stephen O'Donnell and Paul McGinn have won senior caps.

And Elijah Just is a regular for New Zealand, who will join Scotland at next summer's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"I think all players, staff as well, dream of getting to the next level," Askou added.

"And for the players, obviously the World Cup is the biggest tournament you can participate in, so it's a massive thing for people to strive for.

"I hope many of them get that opportunity. Eli has a good chance. We also have some of the Australian boys who might have an opportunity.

"So obviously with the World Cup coming up, the dream is right there for them to see, and especially the Scottish guys."

Kieran Tierney has revealed he received a "lovely text" from Celtic team-mate Kasper Schmeichel after denting the Denmark goalkeeper's World Cup dream with a stunning goal.

The 28-year-old came off the bench at Hampden to curl home in the 94th minute and edge Scotland 3-2 up before Kenny McLean added a sensational strike from the halfway line as Scotland qualified for a first men's World Cup since 1998.

And while Tierney and fellow Scotland player Anthony Ralston have still be reunited with Schmeichel at Celtic, the left-back revealed the devastated Dane - whose national team will host North Macedonia in the play-off semi-finals - had quickly been in touch.

"No, he's back tomorrow, so I'll see him tomorrow," Tierney told Sky Sports.

"But he actually sent me a lovely text after the game. Within the hour or so, he texted me and Ralston, so it just shows you the professional that he is as well.

"Somebody's got to lose, and in the last few however many years, it's usually been Scotland in a game like that.

"So for us to have the fortune on our side, and the moments on our side that night, it was really special. But obviously it's a shame for Kasper and his team as well."

Two days on from Tierney's Hampden heroics, the magnitude of Scotland's achievement - and importance of his goal - are still sinking in.

"I've watched the goal back a lot, to be fair. I'm not going to hide it. After we went out, I went back to the hotel, watched it back," he said.

"Yesterday, people kept sending me different background music to the goals and that, so it's unbelievable. Titanic's a good one. Oasis was a good one. Linger. I like the Linger one as well, so there's a few.

"I've seen different angles from people in the stadium just recording it, and even you just see the reaction and what it means to people. It's honestly unbelievable. I'll do well to score a more important goal than that in my life, so it's amazing."

The congratulations have been pouring in, with Tierney even getting a name-check from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"He's an Arsenal fan, isn't he, so that's probably why he's mentioned me. But that's mental, that's just mental," he added.

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Craig Burley hopes next summer will finally rid him of the status of the last man to score for Scotland at a World Cup finals.

The 54-year-old, a former Chelsea team-mate of national team boss Steve Clarke, netted in a 1-1 draw with Norway in Bordeaux in 1998.

Burley, who was sent off in Scotland's following match against Morocco, is hopeful one of the current squad will banish his big claim to fame at next summer's showpiece in North America.

"I think they will," he told BBC Reporting Scotland. "I think I've dined out on it way too long now, that's 28 years and I'm still dining out on it.

"Boys scored at the European Championships [in 2021 and 2024], but I said, 'Nah, it's not the same, you've got to score at a World Cup'. So I'm sure somebody will get us over the line and people can stop talking about that.

"I'm also the last player to be sent off for Scotland at a World Cup, but I'm hoping nobody takes that one away from me, because that'll make Stevie's job even more difficult.

"But I just know myself, that feeling when I scored in Bordeaux against Norway, of running to the Tartan Army, knowing that you scored in the World Cup, having grown up as a kid in Ayrshire, watching David Narey scoring in the 82 World Cup against Brazil and watching all those big games.

"You're out in the back garden, or in the park or on the street, you're kicking that ball about and you're dreaming of it. I was fortunate I got to do that, and a whole generation of players in the last 28 years have not.

"This generation are going to get that feeling of being in North America, playing on the biggest stage and hopefully doing themselves justice. And that, as a kid, is what you dream about."

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We've all been choosing our dream draw since Scotland secured World Cup qualification, right?

So has Gavin Noon, from Scotland's Coefficient, external, who wants to face co-hosts Mexico in the opening game at the Estadio Azteca - which just happens to be where Diego Maradona scored his famous 'Hand of God' goal for Argentina against England in the 1986 quarter-finals.

"Statistically, it's easier to qualify for the next round than not because we're going to a round of 32," said Noon on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"We're only going to lose 16 teams. From the 12 groups, the top two are all through, but then also third place from eight of the groups are going through.

"The hosts [Mexico, Canada and USA] probably are the best option because they're not legitimate pot one quality sides like the rest of them.

"For me, I would just want to avoid the Uefa sides, because there's 16 Uefa sides going in, four groups are going to have two Uefa teams.

"I hope that's not us because it's a bit boring. If we're getting a top team, I would rather it's Argentina than Spain, for example.

"Then I suppose from the hosts, Canada are the weakest, but Mexico is the opening ceremony.

"Obviously we've had that a couple of times before and for 40 years, I'm 36, so for more than my lifetime, every Scottish game I've gone to, the fans have been singing about what happened in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico in 1986 when Maradona punched it over the English keeper.

"For Scotland to actually go to that stadium and try and get something to sing about for themselves, rather than latching on to someone else doing something against England, that would confirm our status back at the top table."

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Livingston boss David Martindale has thanked Steve Clarke and his players for giving the next generation of Scotland supporters the chance to make a lifetime of memories following the national team to a World Cup like he did in 1998.

The 51-year-old was 23 when he travelled to France with friends to watch Craig Brown's team face Brazil, Norway and Morocco.

The Lions manager is delighted the 28-year wait for a return to the World Cup is over after the Scots topped their qualifying section with a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark on Tuesday.

"It was unbelievable," said Martindale.

"Steve Clarke, all his staff and all his players should take massive, massive credit.

"That's three tournaments Steve's taken us to and a first World Cup. I think I speak for everybody in thanking the Scottish players, the Scottish staff.

"I think the Scottish FA has got to take a lot of credit as well. It's easy to forget about them but Ian Maxwell was the guy that appointed Steve Clarke.

"I think the full Scottish set-up, every one of them should take massive, massive credit. They're going to create memories for Scottish football fans that will last a lifetime.

"I was at the last one, France 98, and I can still remember that very, very vividly, the people I travelled with, the people I socialised with, the games. It was an unbelievable experience."

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Craig Gordon is set to become the second-oldest player in World Cup history if he makes an appearance for Scotland in North America next summer.

The Hearts goalkeeper will be 43 years and five months old by the time the global showpiece kicks off in mid-June.

He would be second only to former Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who made history at Russia 2018 by starting the third game against Saudi Arabia aged 45 years and 161 days.

Gordon is back in the limelight after Angus Gunn, who started Scotland's first four games in the 2026 qualification, missed out through injury for the closing double-header against Greece and Denmark.

Gordon, who hadn't made a first-team appearance since May, impressively stepped up and helped the men's side end a World Cup finals absence of almost three decades.

So is Gordon now Scotland's first choice? And with Alexander Schwolow firmly established as Hearts number one, might the 42-year-old seek a move away from Tynecastle in January?

"At this moment in time he is Scotland number one for me," said former goalkeeper Cammy Bell on the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"You see the levels he managed to reach in the two games with the huge pressure that was on the goalkeeping department because of people not having game-time.

"For me, Gordon's always been the Scotland number one. It'll be interesting to see what he does in January, whether he pursues game-time between now and the end of the season to try to get prepared for the World Cup if he can't get in that Hearts team, because ultimately I see this as Gordon's sign-off.

"That'll be him after the tournament, he will retire. And listen, he fully deserves it. He's been an amazing goalkeeper for Scotland and he's definitely on the plane."

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Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has not ruled out switching international allegiance to play for Scotland.

Burnley-born Barnes, 27, has been capped once for England - in a friendly against Wales in 2020 - but remains eligible to represent Scotland through his maternal grandparents.

Scotland's 4-2 win over Denmark on Tuesday night ended their 28-year absence from the men's World Cup finals and Barnes remains open to the prospect of turning out for Steve Clarke's side, but insists there have been no talks.

Asked if the door has closed on potentially playing for Scotland, Barnes told Sky Sports: "No, of course it's not. I've obviously played for England, I know the eligibility side is still there.

"So it's hard to say either way. But like I said, there's been no real chats or any sort of progression in that sense.

"It's not something I've really put too much thought into.

"There's always been the sort of talk about it. Especially recently, it's not really something that's been on my mind, nothing that's really been spoke about.

"It was great seeing them get through [to the World Cup] and it was a crazy game."

Everton are preparing a £62m bid to sign Scott McTominay from Napoli and build their team round the Scotland midfielder. (Fichajes), external

Inter Milan will make a move for Bologna captain and Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson if they sell Davide Frattesi in January. (Viale della Liberazione via Daily Record), external

Steve Clarke is open-minded about staying on as Scotland head coach after next summer's World Cup in the wake of Tuesday's victory over Denmark that ended a 28-year wait for the national team to reach the finals again. (The Herald), external

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is currently leaning 75-25 towards stepping down after next summer's World Cup, while adding "I don't close any doors". (Daily Record), external

Steve Clarke has won an average of 2.25 points per game as Scotland head coach during World Cup qualifiers and 1.94 for European qualifiers, but it drops to 1.61 when including the Nations League, friendlies and matches at Euro finals. (Transfermarkt), external

Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney has revealed Scotland's World Cup qualification will bring a £10m-plus cash boost that will transform the country's football. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Lewis Ferguson made up for missing his daughter's third birthday party by partying with her on the pitch in celebration of Scotland ending a 28-year absence from the men's World Cup.

The 26-year-old midfielder missed spending the day with daughter Lake, but sought her out in the Hampden stands after the epic 4-2 win over Denmark.

"It was her third birthday," Ferguson said. "I was a wee bit gutted that I never got to spend it with her, but it was all worth it in the end to be there to see her at the end and spend a wee bit of time with her. I was just so happy and so proud.

"That birthday will probably be remembered for the rest of her life now, just such a special occasion. It was probably just meant to be.

"Obviously we were travelling as well the last few days and it was her birthday party and I never got to make it. It was all worth it in the end for that.

"I was just so happy to see their faces as well at the end and I'm sure they'll enjoy the trip next year."

Ferguson says Scotland "turned up" when "a country's dreams were on our shoulders" on a dramatic night at Hampden.

The Bologna captain played the full 90-plus minutes and went through every emotion on a night of bedlam.

"It was probably one of the best games of football I've been involved in in terms of just everything happening, it was just a rollercoaster," said the midfielder, who is one of eight members of the squad who weren't born when Scotland played at the 1998 World Cup.

He added: "We start the game so well, we're going at half-time and speaking about getting out and trying to get the second goal.

"We go out, we concede, we score again, we concede and then just the goals -fantastic by the way, the finishes were outrageous."

That was the game in the microcosm. Just madness.

"We never make it easy for ourselves," Ferguson added.

"But the emotion, it was incredible and it's hard to put into words now how I feel, but I'm just so proud of everyone involved because everyone deserves it.

"I'm just so happy to be a part of the group that's managed to do this.

"A country's dream was on our shoulders and we turned up, we performed, everyone to a man and just so proud of them."

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport

There have been a lot of column inches about Scott McTominay's transformation into one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe since his move from Manchester United to Napoli – but the Scot has been producing on the international stage as well.

McTominay's first goal for Scotland didn't come until his 27th cap, his second didn't come until his 37th appearance, but since then he has averaged roughly a goal every 2½ games.

His sensational strike that opened the scoring for Scotland against Denmark last night was his 14th for his country.

Since the start of 2023, the 28-year-old has been involved in 15 goals for Scotland, six more than any of his team-mates, and he has scored more than twice as many as any of them.

His international form in some senses mirrors his club form, which saw him win Serie A Player of the Year – and a Ballon d'Or nomination – as he helped Napoli claim the 2024-25 league title.

In the final match of the season, it was his spectacular scissor-kick volley that set Napoli on their way to clinch Lo Scudetto.

And in the final match of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, he produced another stunning overhead kick to put Scotland on the road to America.