Clarke urges Scotland's next generation to learn from veterans ahead of Euro 2028

Steve Clarke has urged Scotland’s rising generation of players to learn from the country’s most-capped internationals as he looks ahead to Euro 2028, speaking after stepping down as head coach following Scotland’s group-stage exit at the World Cup.

In a Scottish Football Association interview, the 62-year-old — who ended Scotland’s 23-year absence from major tournaments during his seven-year tenure — expressed belief that his successor will inherit a squad capable of reaching the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time. Scotland will co-host Euro 2028 alongside England, Ireland, and Wales.

“You have to take the core group but you have to keep evolving round about it,” Clarke said. “There are a number of younger players in the squad now who will become the next core group. They should learn from the senior players that I’ve been lucky enough to work with. We’ve grown together through 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 caps.”

Clarke pointed to established figures such as Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Ryan Christie, and Scott McTominon as the experienced backbone of the squad, while highlighting emerging talents including Ben Doak, Findlay Curtis, Tyler Fletcher, Tommy Conway, James Wilson, and Lennon Miller as the next wave.

He pushed back firmly against suggestions that the senior players are already past their best. “Everybody keeps saying this core group is finished. They’re not finished yet, they’re definitely not finished because they can all make it for Euro 2028, home Euros,” he said.

Clarke also noted that Scotland’s World Cup squad carried approximately one thousand international caps between them — a depth of experience he wants the younger players to absorb before the home tournament arrives.

“We need to make sure the next generation learn from this core group and they can carry us into the future tournaments. That’s my hope and wish,” he added.

While co-hosting status does not guarantee automatic qualification for Euro 2028 — two reserved spots will go to the best-ranked co-hosts who fail to qualify outright — Clarke was clear that Scotland should not rely on that safety net. In his final meeting with the squad in America, he stressed the importance of earning their place through qualification.

On a personal note, Clarke said he is looking forward to experiencing the tournament from the stands. “I look forward to sitting in the stand, watching the boys play without the stress of being their head coach and just watching, enjoying and hoping that this is the next time they manage to do what nobody’s ever done before for Scotland.”

Scotland’s search for Clarke’s successor is now under way, with the Scottish FA tasked with finding a manager to build on the foundations he laid across seven years in charge.