MSPs have called for Steve Clarke to be knighted after Scotland qualified for their first men’s World Cup since 1998.
In Holyrood, ministers confirmed plans for a Bute House reception and promised to explore big-screen fan zones and relaxed licensing laws so supporters across the country can join the celebrations when the tournament kicks off next year.
The national team sealed their place at the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park.
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At the game in Hampden on Tuesday night, Scott McTominay opened the scoring with an overhead kick after three minutes before a chaotic finale saw Kieran Tierney curl in a strike from 25 yards and Kenny McLean score from the halfway line in the 96th minute.
Mr Clarke later described the qualification as “the best feeling” of his career.
Responding to an urgent question at Holyrood, tabled by Scottish Tory MSP Douglas Ross, Health Secretary Neil Gray said John Swinney has already congratulated Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and SFA president Mike Mulraney in person.
He said the First Minister would write to Mr Clarke and captain Andy Robertson to invite the team to Edinburgh.
Mr Gray told MSPs it was “a momentous night, a momentous achievement, one that has been a long time coming”.
He added: “I was 12 years old when Scotland last qualified for a World Cup, and my children, so many colleagues with family members across this Parliament, will not have witnessed Scotland’s men’s team being at a World Cup, so it is a remarkable achievement and one that we must celebrate.”
Labour MSP Neil Bibby called for a gong for Mr Clarke, telling the chamber that “the least we can do is recognise the achievements of Steve Clarke by making it Sir Steve Clarke and awarding him a knighthood for his services to football and to the country”.
Responding, Mr Gray said he agreed Mr Clarke “deserves due recognition”, though said the power to award honours was “beyond my responsibilities”.
“But I think the recognition Steve Clarke deserves is significant. He has unquestionably now become our most successful international men’s manager.
“He has delivered a World Cup, two European Championship qualifications.
“His success rate as the longest serving international men’s manager is remarkable and so I think he does deserve due recognition and whatever that comes as, then we should celebrate it.”
Mr Ross said qualifying for the World Cup had given Scotland the chance to unite in celebration. He told MSPs the 4-2 victory had been “breathtaking, nerve-wracking and emotional”, saying Mr Clarke’s players had “guaranteed not just their place at the World Cup finals next year, but also their place in the hearts of every Tartan Army fan, ending that 27-year wait for Scotland to return to the greatest sporting event in the world”.
He asked ministers to ensure supporters at home could enjoy the tournament with “flexibility around licensing laws to ensure that those who remain here back in Scotland can enjoy the atmosphere of the World Cup, cheering on the team, no matter the time of the kick-offs and the matches, and also to give a much-needed boost to our pubs here in Scotland who will also do very well out of this tournament”.
Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie backed the call for large public events.
“I think we should win football matches more often because I have never seen the chamber so united. People are even agreeing with Douglas Ross.
“That is how extreme it is.
“But Alex Cole-Hamilton wants to have a party, and so I again want to agree with Douglas Ross about the licensing arrangements and about having big parties with huge screens in different parts of the country, so that those who cannot get across the Atlantic can enjoy it back here.”
Mr Gray said he was open to the proposals. “We will obviously give consideration to the wider points that he has raised around what can be done domestically to support those that are here and supporting the Tartan Army, and making sure that we make the absolute most of this remarkable opportunity,” he said.
He added that ministers would “look at what we can do to make sure we are maximising the ability of people to engage with what is going to be a remarkable sporting summer”.
MSPs urged the Government to ensure grassroots football benefits.
Mr Gray said he expected a surge in young people inspired by what they had seen: “I will be at my son’s football club this evening, and I have no doubt that the enthusiasm from young boys and girls, seeing their sports teams progressing so well, is one that will see people inspired to take up the sport.”
