Steve Clarke takes over a Scotland side sitting fifth in their Euro 2020 qualifying group after two games played.

They are level on points with Russia, Kazakhstan and Cyprus and three points behind Belgium.

The Scots host Cyprus on 8 June and travel to take on Belgium away three days later.

The teams that finish in the top two in Group I will qualify for next summer's finals, but if Scotland are not one of them, they can still make the tournament via the Nations League play-offs.

Image source, SNS

Steve Clarke established a sold reputation in coaching with spells at Newcastle United, Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool.

He took on his first head coach role at West Bromwich Albion midway through 2012 and won 19 and drew 15 of his 60 matches in charge before leaving in late 2013. He secured the Baggies an eighth-placed finish at the end of his first season in charge.

A year later, he took charge of Reading and led them to the FA Cup semi-finals in 2015. He departed after a year in charge, again after winning 19 games.

After a spell as Aston Villa assistant, Clarke took on his first managerial role in Scotland with a Kilmarnock side struggling near the bottom of the Scottish Premiership in the autumn of 2017. They would finish fifth in the table.

And this season, Killie achieved their highest finish in the top flight for 53 years with third place also securing a Europa League qualifying berth.

Image source, Getty Images

Saltcoats-born Steve Clarke played for only two club sides – St Mirren and Chelsea, racking up more than 500 league appearances.

He is no stranger to the international scene, but some will suggest he should have played more than just six times for Scotland, his final cap coming in 1994.

Image source, SNS

The Scottish FA says Clarke has agreed a three-year contract, which will take him through the current Euro 2020 qualifying campaign and the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

He had a year-long rolling contract with Kilmarnock.

There are certainly no hard feelings down at Rugby Park as they say goodbye to the local lad come good.

"Steve departs Rugby Park as a Killie legend, having twice broken our record points tally and leading the club to our highest league finish in 53 years," the club say in a statement.

"Since joining in October 2017, Steve and his assistant, Alex Dyer, have led the team to back-to-back top-six finishes but more importantly have helped restore a feeling of pride, passion and belief in Scotland's oldest professional football club."

Scotland's gain is Kilmarnock's loss and it leaves the club looking for a new manager after the 55-year-old led them into European competition for the first time in 18 years after Sunday's win over Rangers ensured a third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership.

Director Billy Bowie tells his club website: "While we're naturally disappointed to lose such a talented manager, I understand the lure of managing Scotland is a powerful one.

"Steve leaves an incredible legacy, delivering our best campaign in over half a century and providing European football for the first time since 2001.

"His place in this club's illustrious history is assured and he will always be welcomed back to Rugby Park with open arms."

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: “I firmly believe we have a talented group of players who can achieve success on the international stage. I look forward to working with them and helping them to fulfil those ambitions.

“I appreciate the Scotland supporters have waited a long time for the national team to qualify for a major tournament. Now we have a Women’s World Cup to look forward to in France this summer and it’s my motivation to emulate the success of Shelley Kerr and her squad by leading us to Euro 2020.

“I believe we can qualify and look forward to that journey with the players and the fans, starting against Cyprus and Belgium next month.”

Image source, SNS

The Scottish FA has released a statement to confirm the appointment of Steve Clarke as Scotland head coach on a three-year deal.

And Clarke says: “It is an honour to be appointed Scotland national team head coach and I will undertake those responsibilities with pride and commitment."

Image source, SNS

Here's our breaking story about the appointment of Steve Clarke.

Steve Clarke is to be Scotland’s new head coach.

The 55-year-old leaves Kilmarnock after almost two seasons in charge to replace Alex McLeish, who left the national post last month.

Stay with us for more news on the appointment and reaction…

Image source, SNS