Clarke Will Take The Heat But No Easy Fixes To Lift Scottish Football

Scotland may have endured anightmare tournament on pitch but problems runmuch deeper than their manager

- Ewan Murray

The impressive clean-up operation around Stuttgart's Königstrasse ensured that by yesterday morning, traces of the Tartan Army's impact were barely distinguishable. Even Scotland's off-field contribution to Euro 2024 - a widely acclaimed one - has been swiftly airbrushed from history.

At 9am one Scottish fan dozed in a doorway in Buchenstrasse, doubtless suffering the effects of the days before while perhaps trying to recall the high point of this tournament. For Scotland, that was a Scott McTominay shot against Switzerland, shanked into his own net by Fabian Schär. Scotland had already been trounced by Germany. Switzerland equalised, Hungary snatched late victory in the final clash of Group A. For the 12th time in succession, it is farewell before a knockout ball is kicked.

Blame swirls at times such as these. Even the vast ranks of the Scotland support have taken it in the neck for apparently being too upbeat amid disappointment. This is a preposterous argument. The Tartan Army have made friends throughout Germany. Their behaviour has generally been impeccable, free from the aggression attached to club sides abroad. Whether it is depressing or otherwise, those fans have proved Scotland's key contribution to this tournament. On the field, there is evidence to suggest the Scots have been the worst of all 24 participating teams. That should sting anybody who cares about the state of Scotland's national sport.

Steve Clarke is already in the line of fire. Scotland's manager is experienced enough to know this comes with the territory.

An identical finals record to the European Championship of three years ago undermines any sense of progress for the oldest squad in Germany. Clarke has been in the job for five years; familiarity can breed contempt, regardless of the strides made on his watch.