Thread by @shaunjlawson

Some quick thoughts on Scotland:

1. I told you Clarke was the man. When I'm right, I'm right. See you again in 2031 for the next time that happens.

2. He has done the most fantastic job - and they're suddenly emerging as a proper football team.

https://twitter.com/shaunjlawson/status/1130493823912751105

They've gone through the 'hard to beat' phase and developed such a superb sense of teamship. Now they're moving on to something more: as befits Clarke's approach to the game. He's a genuinely enlightened coach.

3. That win last night was huge. They'd've had very little chance of qualifying as an unseeded team. They have every chance now - but obviously, need to avoid the Italy or Portugal sections.

But they've improved so much that even against them, they wouldn't have no chance.

4. HOWEVER... Denmark had already qualified as group winners. Scotland desperately needed to win, Denmark could just take it easy. And that sort of thing makes a huge difference.

To put it another way: I don't think Scotland are as good - yet - as they looked last night.

That doesn't mean Denmark wanted to lose or something! But it takes the edge off any side when there's nothing tangible riding on it for them and plenty of that for the opponents.

5. Fundamentally, my feelings are these. I've felt awful for Scotland fans of the last generation or so. Many of them had probably given up on ever seeing them qualify for anything again.

But nothing moves and unites whole nations like major football tournaments. NOTHING.

That's why I've always cared much, much, much more about international football than the club game.

That's why I'm like a child on Christmas morning throughout any World Cup.

That's why England winning the World Cup is my biggest dream in life, period.

In South America, people *get* the importance of the international game in a way that most of the time, they rarely do in Europe.

But the sheer joy of following your side at a major finals is so so special - because football is about moments. Memories. Talked about for decades.

Remember how people reacted when Big Jack died? Think about what he did for everyone in Ireland. Hardly anyone has made an impact on any nation as great as he did.

If Scotland make it, Steve Clarke will be a national hero. If they made the 2nd round, he'd be immortal.

I very much hope they do, because Scotland fans deserve to have that experience at long last.

In football, as in life, the collective trumps the exclusive. Never forget that - and from this England fan, good luck to them in the playoffs and hopefully, beyond.