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Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith insists Steve Clarke can secure his legacy as one of the all-time greats by leading the nation back to a World Cup Finals.
Aiming to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1998, Clarke’s side have put themselves in a fantastic position with only two games left to play.
They will look to finish the job when they face Greece in Athens on Saturday night followed by Denmark at Hampden next Tuesday.
Scotland know that a point away in Greece, followed by a victory over the Danes, would be enough to secure qualification for next summer’s showpiece tournament.
Clarke led the nation to two European Championships previously - and Naismith believes he will go down as Scotland’s greatest manager in a generation if he can book a place in the World Cup.
‘I think if you speak to the older generations, as with anything in football, they’ll always say the older generation were better,’ said Naismith.
Steve Clarke can stamp his place in the history books by leading Scotland to a World Cup
Assistant coach Steven Naismith believes all of the Scots squad have faith in their manager
Scotland's last appearance at a major finals ended in abject disappointment against Hungary
‘But in my lifetime, he’s been the best manager. Like any achievement, people will not really appreciate it fully until it’s 10 or 15 years down the line.
‘But one thing I do know from him is he does not want any of that acclaim or anything like that. He just wants to get to a World Cup.
‘From the first time I came in as a coach, it was the first thing he said to the group: “I want to get a World Cup”. We’re two games away now.
‘I think he’s got a real appreciation from the players. Nearly every player in this squad owes him a lot for what he’s given them.
‘He’ll definitely say that they were the ones that done it and he’s had the easier job, but it’s just that natural relationship and understanding and appreciation for each other. I think that’s definitely there.
‘The trust the manager gives the players is excellent, and it also empowers the players. They know that he’s got strict guidelines of how he wants to work. The players respect that.
‘They live and breathe through that, and it’s a really good relationship that’s been formed over the last six or so years.
Clarke will not be able to call on the services of star midfielder Billy Gilmour in Athens
‘We’ve got two games to go. Greece will probably feel hard done by, given some of their performances. They are already out and that could maybe affect the dynamic of the game. We can only focus on ourselves.’
Billy Gilmour will miss the game in Athens through injury but Naismith revealed there is still a chance the Napoli midfielder will be fit to face Denmark.
‘Billy’s obviously picked up an injury a couple of weeks back,’ said Naismith, with Scotland training over in Turkey this week.
‘There was an argument to have him here on site, but he’s better being at home and seeing how this week goes to give him the best chance to be ready, and that’s still a good, realistic possibility.
‘The higher risk comes if you maybe force him into the first game when he’s not 100 per cent and damages more, whereas if you give him another week then the chances of him being at a really good level to go into that last game is high.
‘There’s still a good chance that he can meet up when we’re back home.’
With Angus Gunn missing out through injury, Clarke will face a huge selection call in terms of who starts in goal.
Hearts’ Craig Gordon, Rangers’ Liam Kelly and Falkirk’s Scott Bain are the three options.
Craig Gordon looks likely to be picked in goals for Scotland at the ripe old age of 42
Gordon is now 42 years of age and hasn’t started a game in six months. Kelly is also second-choice at Rangers, whilst Bain hasn’t been capped since 2019.
‘I think it [goalkeeper position] has definitely been an area that’s been tricky to navigate over the years.
‘But what I would say is the guys that have come in at certain points have done really well.
‘If you look at the very first game, Denmark away, and there’s a question mark, we’ve got no goalies playing every week. Angus Gunn sees the opportunity and takes it.
‘I think in the four games he played, he was excellent. I would argue that probably four of his best performances internationally.
‘That door then opens up now for another goalie to take that chance. Two games from a World Cup to stake a claim, not only to play in these games, but to plant the seed of being the number one [in the tournament].
‘It’s one of those situations where that position’s up for grabs. The gaffer will be settled in his own mind, but I don’t think there’s a clear frontrunner as such.’
