New Scotland manager Steve Clarke is determined to guide the nation to the European Championship next year after taking over at the helm. The experienced head coach recently guided Kilmarnock to European football after 18 years, and he has now been tasked with the job of helping Scotland qualify for their first major tournament since 1998.

Speaking in a press conference, Clarke spoke about his pride after landing the job and he is keen on replicate on the women’s national side to qualify for Euro 2020, he said: “It is an honour to be appointed Scotland national head coach and I will undertake those responsibilities with pride and commitment.

“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.”

Scotland are currently playing catch-up in the race for the top two spots on goal difference following the shock 3-0 defeat at the hands of Kazakhstan. Nonetheless, there is plenty of time to turn things around with eight more games left to play and it remains to be seen whether they can jump ahead of either Belgium or Russia to make the top two.

Otherwise, they have the added luxury of the Euro 2020 play off after topping their group during the Nations League. Scotland are likely to face Finland during the one-legged playoff where they would have the home advantage at Hampden Park. Scotland are scheduled to face Cyprus and Belgium during next month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers.