"Kenny McLean had just lobbed Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line. Limbs. Unbridled, unfiltered joy. On one outrageous Hampden Park night McLean, Kieran Tierney and Scott McTominay relegated Archie Gemmill's stupendous solo effort against the Netherlands in 1978 to merely the fourth best Scotland goal of all time. Zinedine Zidane's volley for Real Madrid in Hampden's Champions League final of 2002? A mere tap-in by comparison."
"Some argue international football has lost relevance amid club obsessions and the attached corporate boom. Scotland have proved precisely the opposite. The strength of feeling linked to their achievement has been so incredibly striking. Scotland cares deeply and passionately about its football team. The country is proud to be afforded the status a World Cup will bring. The 2026 version will be enriched by Scottish involvement; certainly off the field if not on it."
Kenny McLean lobbed Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line, sparking unbridled celebration at Hampden Park. McTominay, Tierney and McLean produced three goals of such quality that they ranked ahead of historic Scottish and European strikes. The performance sent joy through generations of spectators and elevated McLean's local standing across Scotland. Scotland's qualification for the 2026 World Cup ended a wait since 1998 and affirmed national passion for the team. Steve Clarke secured his reputation as the country's finest manager with three tournament qualifications in four attempts. The team overcame doubts about resources and even relied on 42-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon. The achievement promises cultural and commercial benefits for the country and will enrich the 2026 tournament experience. Scotland's simplicity in approach proved effective, and the 4-0 victory over Denmark epitomised a qualifying campaign filled with unexpected brilliance.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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