"Image source, SNS Hampden Park has history but it's hard to say that it's always had heart and soul when Scotland play. The thunderous exceptions, though, will live long in the memory - the 2-0 win over Spain in March 2023 - Rodri's tears and all of that - and the match in the monsoon against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's Georgia - a Scott McTominay-inspired victory - a few months later."
"Scottish hopes are rising which normally puts everyone on tenterhooks. Optimism is usually accompanied by scepticism at times like this. The euphoria of qualifying for Euro 2020 followed by a winless grind when the tournament came around. The impressive push for the last World Cup only for Ukraine to hammer Scotland in the play-off. The undiluted euphoria of making Euro 2024 and then the grisly non-performances in Germany. The national psyche is complex when things are going well."
Hampden Park can produce unforgettable, thunderous nights despite often lacking consistent atmosphere. Memorable wins against Spain and Georgia showed the stadium's potential to galvanize Scotland. Scotland must beat Greece and then Belarus at Hampden, and obtain further points away to Greece and at home to Denmark, to finish top of the group and reach the World Cup. Steve Clarke's tenure has seen fluctuating fortunes and strong public opinion swings. Past qualification euphoria has often been followed by disappointing tournament performances, leaving national optimism tempered by scepticism and a complex national psyche when results improve.
Read at www.bbc.com
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