Football Daily - Scotland qualify for 2026 World Cup

Episode Date: November 19, 2025

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin and ex-Scotland captain Rachel Corsie join Steve Crossman and commentator Eilidh Barbour from Hampden as Scotland secure a first World Cup spot for 28 years. The team react to an epic night of football in Glasgow that finished 4-2 and had it all:  6 goals, a red card, a penalty, a stoppage time winner and a final-kick-of-the-game goal. Hear from Steve Clarke, the first Scotland manager to get the national team to three consecutive major tournaments, as well as from captain Andy Robertson and goalscorers Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean. There's also an interview with midfielder John McGinn. Elsewhere, Wales thrashed North Macedonia 7-1 to earn themselves a home advantage in next year's World Cup play-off semi-final. Craig Bellamy tells us he had an eye on the Scotland game too, though. Timecodes: 0'15 Full-time whistle 8'51 Steve Clarke 16'00 Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean 27'39 Andy Robertson 37'25 John McGinn 45'02 Craig Bellamy5 Live/ BBC Sounds commentaries this week:Wednesday 19th November WOMENS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Arsenal v Real Madrid 2000 KO, live on 5 Live.Thursday 20th November WOMENS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Chelsea v Barcelona 2000 KO, live on 5 Live.Saturday 22nd November PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool v Nottingham Forest 1500 KO, live on 5 Live. PREMIER LEAGUE: Fulham v Sunderland 1500 KO, live on 5 Sports Extra.  PREMIER LEAGUE: Newcastle United v Manchester City 1730 KO, live on 5 Live.Sunday 23rd November PREMIER LEAGUE: Leeds United v Aston Villa 1400 KO, live on 5 Live. PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal v Tottenham 1630 KO, live on 5 Live.

You're listening to the Football Daily podcast with Steve Crosman. Hello there, welcome to the Football Daily podcast. I'm Steve Crosman. We're at Hamden Park. Scotland are through to a men's World Cup finals for the first time since 1998. Let's listen back to the moment on Five Live when Scotland knew they had done it, they had booked their place in the USA, Mexico and Canada. How much time will be given to Denmark to try and find the equalizer that will ensure they make it to the World Cup? They have the ball with Hewlemand, but he's under pressure, and now it's won back by

Kenny McLean, who's got nobody between the halfway line. He's knocked it from the halfway line. It's over. Schweigel! What a goal from Kenny McLean! Scotland are going to the World Cup. Scotland have done it. And Kenny McLean scores from the halfway line.

And there is a pile of bodies in the corner flag to our right-hand side. My goodness. Scotland's for Denmark 2. Get your back back. I'm actually going to believe it now. I'm going to believe it now. I mean, what incredible into this game. Scotland are out at 90 minutes.

By the way, the game's over. Just since the referees walked away, it's official. Scotland are there. Scotland are going to the World Cup. 27 years since they last took part. This group of players, Steve Clark's Tartan Army,

they will be going back to a place that so many will. these players have never even witnessed a Scotland men's national team at. I mean, Rachel Corsi, can you have and find the word? Oh, it's hard. I don't even, I almost feel like I've got tears in my eyes. It's incredible because I can actually remember the last World Cup. I can remember sitting watching the Collins penalty against Brazil.

And I just, I was naive at that point. I didn't realize when I was sitting watching that that those things just don't happen very easily and very often for Scotland. And this group I found a way. Yes, we've got a little extra lifeline at the weekend, but the belief

today that the application, every part of the game, we'd have planned for it all. We didn't expect to score early, but we've managed every minute. The setbacks, incredible. So now you talk about that game in France and John Collins, I was to recalls you for 5 live that day.

And like yourself, I didn't expect it to be such a long time. But look at this group of players down there, they really deserve it. They fought, they battle, even when they've been up against it. That's why when we're saying, near the end of the game of Scotland, looked as if they're out,

I didn't give up. I didn't think, I don't, yeah, this time. We didn't think it was definitely out because they keep on going, they've got such a brilliant attitude. And they're like, here they come on. he would always pick that doesn't get picked

but still comes on with the right action because of an amazing spirit here and then Kenny McLean I mean the most unsung hero

that you've got he scored for the halfway line to meet on after over head kiss amazing it is a classic write this

for Hollywood and they're saying no we're not having it we're taking that be serious it is fabulous and the lovely thing as you look around you

right now Has a single person left this stadium? The place is mobbed, its party, it's gorgeous, for this country, for this nation. It's having me look at the players now. They are running over to the supporters and Hamden Park is literally bouncing under my feet. I can feel this old stadium moving. Under the supporters that are up on their feet that are cheering their heroes, The images of Archie Gemmell dancing through the Dutch defence in 1978,

Kenny Douglas, Dennis Law, Billy Brenner of the squad of West Germany in 1974. The last group of Scotland players to play at a World Cup in 1998, walking out in their kilts ahead of the opening match against Brazil. Well, every single one of those players out on that pitch will be rewriting Scotland's history of the World Cup eight World Cup and then a 27 year wait for World Cup number nine

but they have done it they are there and it's come in the most incredible fashion an overhead kick of the highest calibre from Scott McTominy Lawrence Shankland putting Scotland back in front but again they were pegged back and on 90 minutes

Scotland we're going to the playoffs but upset here in Cairney in the third minute of added time with a beautiful curling effort and then Kenny McLean with eight extra minutes played from the halfway line over the head of Casper Schmichael and Scotland score four incredible goals to put themselves into the World Cup We'll be coming as being strong around Hamden Park and Scotland are coming. They are going to the World Cup. It has finished the Hamden Park. Scotland 4, Denmark 2. Hamden Park is a living, breathing entity.

The floors are shaking. The walls must be shaking. If there was a roof, it would have lifted off. In front of us, the Scotland players in a sea of salt tyres are dancing and singing. There are hugs, there are lots of disbelief. All of a sudden, I feel like I'm at a national festival. And yeah, it says we'll be coming 26 on the big screens around Hamden Park. Scotland have done it.

Scotland are going to a men's world cop for the first time since 1998 when they went to Bordeaux, Santetienne and Paris. Now it's Boston, Seattle and Philly. That's what Scotland have got to look forward to next summer. Pat Nevin, find the words. Oh, I cannot wait for it already. This group of players, it's a kind of golden generation. and had they not go to a World Cup

it would have been heartbreaking for them as a group now as an ex-player you think about the players at this point in time for McDonny for McGominy for McGinn that everything he's given

to this for Robertson the fabulous pro that has been by the way Craig Gotham 42 going to be a World Cup I mean the stories are extraordinary

around the whole thing around how hard they've worked for it over this long period of time the fans deserve it as well because they have been a credit to this nation year after year competition after competition near failure after near failure

they're always there and finally, finally they get the rollers so I'm delighted for every one of them too a special word for the manager I mean wow we've had some great managers in Scotland over the years that haven't been able to do this for us

and Steve Ecliffe has come in and managed to get us to three competitions and by By the way, hold the back cage, Stephen Clark smiling. I don't believe it. He is right in the middle of that bouncing huddle of players with the biggest grin on his face. He likes to be reserved.

He will not be reserved tonight. I've never seen, I've done this since he's 21 and I've never seen his face like that. I've seen him score goals for them and he's never been like that. He is so delighted for himself. from his players for his country. Oh, you're a legend, you're an absolute legend and I don't use that work frequently.

Here is the Scotland manager, Steve Clark. It feels good. I've said at start the campaign. I felt the pressure of the nation to try to get to World Cup. So immediately that falls off your shoulders and you feel a little bit better. But what a fantastic group of players. I've said it for a long time

about how good they are and how determined they are to be good for their country. They showed that tonight. I couldn't be happier for that for my. players, I couldn't be happier. It's fantastic. It feels great. This is the best feeling. I've waited a long time. I've spoken to you before about how much I want to go to a World Cup in my country. I had a chance as a player. It passed me by for various reasons. We had the chance against Ukraine. It passed us by. And suddenly you start to think,

maybe the last one, maybe the last chance. But it's not. We're there. So yeah, fantastic moment. I feel great. I'm going to enjoy myself tonight and tomorrow night. And the night after that, it's so great because I've now got some great. three months where I can just enjoy myself we have just witnessed three of the most iconic moments in Scottish football history in one night oh it was incredible I am so so glad that I have got the opportunity to be here because this is a this will be a memory of a lifetime for me it's it's it's tough it's been tough at time from and many people with many more experiences than me to be a a Scotland football fan

and we have a special thing, we have just so much belief every time we have that little bit of hope and we cling to it and so often we don't quite find a way, it doesn't quite, the luck doesn't fall our way here we miss that glorious chance but today it all came together

so many players contributed so many staff have contributed Can I take the airways just for one second can I ask a question for someone who just walked in front of us Roddy Forsy How are you feeling just now after that? The first time I ever saw Scotland qualify

was in 1973 but I have never in all that time seen anything like this anything Oh, it couldn't be It wasn't the same Without Roddy Forsy Being here

and be able to say that to us tonight Thank you Roddy It means so much so that you're here And looking great men Great pipe, great shout Lovely to see Roddy here at Hamden Park. Well, rocking all over the world. You can see Mexico, Canada and the USA scrolling across the screens.

I have to say, Steve Clark has come into this national team setup. He's not only brought success on the pitch. He's taking Scotland now to a third major tournament after back-to-back European championships. But he's galvanized the nation. You look inside Hamden Park this evening. You couldn't buy a ticket to this game. They were sold out so quickly, and it's been like this game after game after game.

And I know the Scotland fans have at times got a little bit on the players' backs and on Steve Clark's back as to maybe be being a little bit too loyal, a little bit negative at times. But what he's done is it's created a belief in the Scotland national team that we have the right to go out and win games of football. And that has not been brought into this national team by any manager since Craig Brown took Scotland to the World Cup in France 98

and a huge credit must go to Steve Clark and the players who have bought into everything that he's done, everything that he's tried to create in the terms of a club mentality the players who have come away to every single Scotland national team camp friendly qualifiers they've been there and they have this reward

again tonight they have a major tournament once again to look forward to but it's the pinnacle it's the World Cup and it feels like Rachel said, so incredibly special to be here tonight but to be on this journey over these last six years or so has been so magnificent and the journey just gets better because Pat, it's a World Cup next.

It's a World Cup and there's hope in so many ways there's some young players coming through as well I talk about that golden generation. We hope they've been gone in docks, injuries not too bad we'll be back in plenty of times for the World Cup Hickey coming through looking very, very special as well. You need everyone. you need every age

from 18 to 42 and I mean 42 the goalkeeper we need absolutely everyone here and Stevey Fatt managed to do that with a lot of people saying you're doing the wrong things

you're getting the wrong as you say he's taken by people like Kenny McLean and then he does something like that at the end of the game it's a magical magical time not just night

time for Scottish football at the full-time whistle someone kissed me from behind. the barriers here i have not got the gentleman's name yet but he was somewhere he's got his number i thought i better say it was a gentleman just in case my wife is listening but they sort of became flying over the top of the stands behind us and the joy is absolutely unconfined they're hanging off barriers everyone's very safe i should say that but it is just impossible

to contain the joy just down below us now I can see Ben Gannon Doak is down there I mean what a turnaround here's a guy who had a thigh operation a few months ago a guy who was down on the floor in tears pretty much with his hamstring now celebrating

with all of the rest of the players the players in the t-shirts are just making their way out somebody's run onto the pitch away to the left-hand side and he's being escorted away now by the police on that far side but I mean I just can't

quite get my head around those last few minutes of that football match We do chaos You see the Clamps learned how to do chaos And it's a horrible thing to play against Because you're not all idea what's going to happen next That I couldn't have dream Or imagine it would be done with that

Eiland in the end With that style With that brilliance of the standard of the goals And we usually take all the notes down when does Scotland score the third goal you know to make it 3-2 I mean it's right at the death 93rd minute

well I got that wrong because I said it was going to be 94 because I thought the only way Scotland do this is we're going to ring it out and I said it actually in Radio 5 and Radio 4 this morning it's going to happen but it's going to happen in the 94 they're a minute out but that's just us and actually we have that believe because the team

listen to the manager they believe in the manager they believe in each other and boy have they got some fight as well as for it I think just that Pat knew when it was Shanklin scored that goal we all sort of knew

that's maybe just a bit much for us and even when then Dorgo equalizes there's sort of that brief moment you feel the sigh of the crowd and then you sort of feel everyone and go okay we go again and Zaz was exactly what we did we can get some reaction from

Pipside Kenny McLean who scored from the halfway line Kieran Tierney, who scored the third in stoppage time, both speaking pitchside to the BBC. Unbelievable scenes. What does it mean to you guys? You sent Scotland to the World Cup? Self-explanatory, I think, isn't it? The atmosphere in here. Whole place deserves it. It's been a long time, obviously. We knew with the ability to do it, but to do it obviously later on, feels that a wee bit more special. They finish. KT.G.C.S. who scored the third best goal in the game, but it was a belter.

so listen it's amazing obviously everybody's family up there we've obviously spoken about it last few days and we knew it was possible but to go to actually achieve it incredible honestly incredible kieran talk to me about your emotions right now oh it's mental man uh one of the best feelings ever unbelievable this group the staff all the fans everyone deserves it man and oh it's probably

what was going through your mind is your shot Found the back of the net? I don't know. Pure, too good to be true kind of thing, honestly. I see it going in the back. I don't know what I've done for my celebration. And then Kenny goes and finishes it off and that just takes all the pressure off

and what a night, honestly. Kenny, talk to me about what was going through your mind as you prepared to take that shot? I thought twice, to be honest. And the keeper did he drop too quickly. I think somebody was coming my left. I don't know if it was Fergie. But I took a pop.

says it was a minute to go about a minute before so I don't want to know. You see, Kriam and that and side post, it was best feeling I've had. It chops, Topps, Norway. Guys, you've made the nation so happy. Thank you so much. Good, everybody. Nice one, Broadway. Well, I mean, there was disbelief about those two. There's still disbelief all around Hamden Park.

I mean, at some point in the next few minutes, we'll talk about some of the key individuals here because we have to talk about the icon that Scott McTominee has become over the course of the last 90 minutes icon level is the level that he's at now after that but a lot of his teammates as well there was a man just to our left-hand side who's just walked away from hamden with tears in his eyes with the lion rampant on the flag wrapped around his shoulders down pitch side there's linden dykes who's just coming off now he's got a sole tire wrapped around him as well and all of a sudden the pitch is empty and all of a sudden these

Scottish fans just full of, I think, disbelief start to make their way out of this stadium. And now they can dream. Now they can think about the draw at the start of next month. All these moments in the build-up to a World Cup, Rachel, that Scotland fans will have dreaded before. We'll have how here comes the draw again. Oh, it's the warm. Oh, it's the first match. Not this time.

No, and I've lived that. You're absolutely right, Steve. There's all those moments. And it's brutal as a player, but what we can now just sit and embrace and enjoy every single one of those moments to come, enjoy the build up, embrace it all. For the players, there's still an element of anxiety because you've got to go and try and give your best for the second part of season, and you've got to keep in great shape, but you've got to know that's not overdue and get injured. And I know that's not a thought the players will have for right now, it's for down the line, but that's just a little something that plays in the back of your mind. Do you want to make sure you're on that plane? You know what?

That image on the program for the match tonight, I'm just going to pick it up. It's like this beautiful painting of Kenny Dalclish celebrating, and it's the pose he adopted. It's the celebration from the goal that he scored at Anfield, which took Scotland to the World Cup back in 1977 for the World Cup in 1978. The reason I mention it, Ailey, is if you fast forward 30 years, right,

you're going to see that Scott McTominate moment. You're going to see the pose in the air. That is what we are talking about, isn't it, tonight? You could pick five other images if you wanted. How long ago does that Scott McTominy goal feel right now? But what

a goal, what a moment. And like you say, I mean, you talked about Bellingham's goal and that overhead kick likened it to it and that's become an image that we've seen made into logos made into a real iconic image.

of English football in this current generation. Scott McTominate, that is a goal that will go down in history. I mean, not just 30 years. This will be played on a loop for the next, I don't know how many years, because that's something that, I mean, I just can't believe Scotland scored a goal like that. It was utterly sensational.

Yeah, and by the way, I love a DJ, send back a letter from America. Pretty clever, seem to me an answer for everything for Scotland, don't they? Now, there's so many things that when we sit down and think about it and be a little bit calm about it, we almost won't believe it happened the way it happened tonight. I call it iconic images, I've got a load here in my mind already. Stevie Clark smiled there.

When we all saw that smile, you just went, what? And it is, it's like, because all the players are around them. And it's one of those ones that you catch the right photograph there. So tomorrow, for days, for weeks or months, we're going to be able to celebrate that and love it. And it is just joyous that for one, Scotland don't have to worry about playoffs. We've got there. Well, you made me promise not to mention them, so I didn't.

Well, exactly, because you kind of jinx it slightly. And also, you know, because we go always at the NCA, oh, well, we never made it. But I'll be honest, we, there was one point in the country. I think Ely you said to his, when do we give up? And I was not having it. I'm saying, well, not until the final whistle, because that's Scotland, that's what we're like. But that's what we're like now. yeah oh yeah now after all the years of heart the the phrase it's the hope that kills you

was sort of synonymous with scotland for for so long but i feel this generation now we can keep believing to that final whistle we'll admit i didn't think we'd get two and one from the halfway line i know again every time you add something to it it just feels astonishing and it's and it's it's going to be a glow about this city about this country about everybody who cares about the football. There's something that a lot of people don't know about Scotland. We are football mad country up here. And we argue

that we are mad than everyone else for it. The reason being per capita, more people go to watch Scottish football than any other nation in Europe per capita. So we love this and to be out of this main competition, the World Cup, for so many years, it'd be physically

painful for us. But there now, we can breathe again. It is just phenomenal. We talked before the game range and asked the question about when was the last time Scotland had a player with the kind of attacking inspiration of Scott McTominee. We came back to James McBadden, who also scored an incredibly famous goal for Scotland, albeit in the end, they didn't get to that tournament when he scored from about 30 yards in France. Well, that image is still the image that Scotland used. So I think he might have to pass it over to Scott McTominee now.

He's probably, well, he is here, James, isn't he? I think he'll probably accept it. No, he'll more than that, be happy. Because Faddy's such a phenomenal. Like most of the players that, you know, play for your country, the ones that turn up and don't make excuses not to come in it, they don't fancy it. And that was Faddy as well.

He was one of the end of the world. He'll be happy to pass that. I remember at the last game, the Greece game, I was sat in between Neil McCann and Scott Brown as well, two players who gave a lot for the country too. And we were sitting there. Yes, we were here for BBC, but we were sitting there as fans. There was like a, you know, genuinity through the game.

they were both off their seat at times shouting on at the ref and there is a genuineness to that and it's players who have been involved know how much it means to them they know how much it means to the country and the fact it's incredible and as you say all the people downstairs as part of the media team will be delighted

former players people who have done this for a very long time it's a commitment to be a Scotland fan and it's an amazing feeling to be one tonight that is a wonderful way to phrase it a commitment to be a Scotland fan. I'm Maisie Adam and I'm Susie Ruffel and we host the women's football podcast, Big Kick Energy. Each week we bring you the latest from the WSL and beyond.

Whether you're a lifelong fan like me or a newer fan like me and have recently got swept up in the lioness's excitement. We've got everything you need to know about the women's game. And chance, we've got chance. Oh yes, we love a chance. And finding ways to shoehorn in some truly obscure pop culture references. It's actually quite a silly podcast.

Yeah, listen now on BBC Sounds. Yeah, you should. Okay, cool. This is the Football Daily podcast with Steve Crosman. I just want to do one more pat on Scott McTominate. Did it just need a generational iconic talent to get Scotland into a position like this to get over the line? Yeah, but it's been a while, I mentioned, I can't ignore McGinnon this point. in time. I can't ignore what Robertson's

done over the period of time. We've had difficult moments tonight. But when he's still been asked the question later on in the game he's having done that left line. He's absolutely brilliant in Tierney. Similarly as well. So yeah the moment yeah, it's Scott. Yeah, of course it is Scott Mcominy. But I look through that

and I think of youngsters watching that group. They look like gods. You look back in years and think, what, you mean your goalie was 42? You look back and it won't make much sense. It was so mad but yeah, Scott McDonnelly at this

moment, yes, it's fantastic and I'm so happy for him because he almost epitomizes alongside him again what it is to be a, a, brilliant, but boy, do you need to work for it. I think those two as well, they do carry the sort of, the

nation in the way that you speak about Steve in that they are the two that Steve Clark has relied on more than any other player since he's come into the national team. They have played the most and they have scored the most goals and they have been the most influential. But when you

look at players like Shea Adams, Lyndon Dykes, I mean Andy Robertson, we can't count him out, the captain's role that he's taken on, how he's driven the standards on and off the pitch. But the Kieran Tierney's playing through pain at times and you just look at the number of players who've come in

and there's been players like Grant Hanley, not playing for his club before the move back up to Scotland to Hibarney. not playing, but coming in and putting his body on the line for Scotland and doing a job. And Steve Clark has never doubted the players that maybe aren't playing for their club as much because he knows what they will bring to this Scotland set up. And not one single player ever shirks a responsibility. They all come in and they all do their job.

And while it is Scott McTominee and John McGinn, who might be the ones that sort of stand slightly above the others in terms of their role within the team and their front-facing and Andy Robertson as the captain, I just think what Steve Clark has built is a squad and a group of players and it's not down to one individual. Yes, there are a few that are very, very special.

But this is a collective and it's a collective achievement over the last six years to make it to three major tournaments. Let's hear from the captain then, shall we? Andy Robertson speaking to Kelly Kate. Never say die. We just keep going right to the end

in one of the craziest games of football we've certainly put the country through it but I'm sure it'll be all worth it. We're going to the World Cup now. I can't believe it. Obviously I'm not going to ask you to rank your achievements because you've been involved in huge games in Champions League

finals and in huge games for your clubs. I'm not going to ask you to compare them in terms of ranking them but is it different? Is doing it for your country? Does it feel different? Different. I think I've had it well but today I've been in bits.

I know that the age of Matt and everything this could be my last chance of the World Cup. I couldn't get my mate. Diogo Jock out of my head today. We spoke so much together about the World Cup. When he missed out in guitar because of injury, I missed out.

The Scotland never went and we always discussed what it would be like going to this World Cup. And I know we've been somewhere smiling all the way today and yeah, I just couldn't get him out I heard the whole day, so I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier, but watching the World Cup son in the summer. I know, but like I said, I think I hit the well of the boys, and yeah, I'm just so glad they're sending up this way. And he'd be so proud of your achievement.

You're going to the World Cup finals. Yeah, can't wait to get back down to Liverpool and share a red wine with you or that. He always spoke about World Cups, but yeah, look, honestly, this group of boys, this group of boys, This group of staff. Honestly, it's the best group I've ever been involved in and the manager's speech before the game was unbelievable in the hotel. Give us a flavour of that.

Without breaking any confidence, give us an idea of what Steve Clark was saying. Yeah, look, he just said. He obviously went through the big moments we've had. Serbia was one of the best nights of our life when the world was in a dead strange place. Ukraine was one of the toughest here. Get meat.

Then obviously qualified for the euro. he couldn't quite remember we were in Wonderbar but I'll tell him that nightclub now and then he said let's make it another one and he kind of went into a little bit about his life and things like that and honestly the lads were I think we were quite emotional in that moment

so to do it for him to do it for all the staff all our families honestly we'll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life that's Andy Robertson with Kelly Kate I mean Rachel powerful poignant open vulnerable and that's your captain

absolutely and even I think the way he speaks about just Steve Clark telling that story there's a bigger picture there because even Steve Clark the end of the game and amongst the players you see that when teams and national teams or club teams have success and the manager and coaching staff are around the players and you always get a feel you know when it's there's a handshake or a high five you know when there's an emotional connection there and you know when it's just it's a formality

you can tell with the team there is such an incredible connection and a deep connection with so many players that they've built this culture whereby even the young players that maybe come in and don't have as much experience as some young guys come in, Andy Irving, Connor Barron, who've had youth experience but not had loads of experience in the senior team.

They know what's expected. They know how to conduct themselves. They know how to be a part to make sure you give absolutely everything and you give yourself the opportunity of moments like what we've had tonight and it's honestly been sensational. I've got to say, Pat, I think,

of all the players in this Scotland team Andy Robertson is just the one that I sort of want to do the most if that makes sense I kind of want the best for him and you hear powerful interviews like that but equally when he gave the penalty away there was a big part of me that thought or if they don't qualify now

Andy Robertson is going to feel a certain way that he doesn't deserve to feel yeah he would possibly feel that I don't think the fans would feel that about him because he was so deeply loved in Scotland I've just come back to those interviews you know

Scots are famously rubbish in motion but we're getting to show it a little bit there well the guys are anyway and it is beautiful we see that and it would have been horrible football's like that it can be horrible, it can be hurtful it can be painful

and it's kind of why we absolutely love it because in the midst of an evening tonight we've kind of shared and seen some incredible highs, some horrifying lows, some fears and some total and utter joy that you hardly ever see at any other point in your life. And for us and for Scottish people and anybody was in here

and my phone's gone mad, I've never seen that number of... Honestly, it's running out of figures the many messages we've got here and it's just pure and utter joy and it's lovely for a number of things but do you know what the real joy is for me it's just a sharing a sharing of it that we've waited so long for

what kind of dam has burst tonight for Scotland and you kind of feel it all around I mean you're not over here as much as we are but you must be able to feel that it's flying over this stadium when coming over it and it'll be over the entirety of the country and it's fabulously beautifully

wonderfully and joyously emotional it is I can't really add much that Pat, I mean, we've spoken about how big football is in Scotland, how well it's supported and how much people go out and support their teams from the top level of the game right down through to the junior game and we're seeing more at the women's game. And people in Scotland love football, but they also love their country. And so when you get to combine the two and you get to go abroad and you get to go to these nations,

and you get to showcase the culture of Scotland, the kiltz and the tartan army and the Tammies and the pipes and everything that Scottish people take a real pride in being, the party atmosphere and the joy and the friendliness and supporting your team. And it just, when it all comes together, it's so very special and our generation, Rachel, my generation, have been starved of it. really for a long, long time.

And we saw when Scotland qualified for the Women's World Cup in 2019 in Nice, it was incredible the kilts that were walking around the old town of Nice because it was an opportunity to support your country at a World Cup. And it wasn't the men's team. It was the women's team, and the women's team has grown in Scotland. But at that moment in time, it wasn't as well supported as it is now, but that just stirred the nation once again. And Scotland outnumbered England fans in Nice.

and Rachel will tell you because she was on the pitch and you could hear them all the way through the game and that was a real watershed moment I think for the women's game but also it was just that joy of being back at the World Cup and being back in that atmosphere and the Scotland fans absolutely embraced it and then there was the back-to-back European championships but this is the one for the men's team

that has been the one that Scotland fans want. They want to be back at the World Cup they want to be surrounded by all these names from right across the globe and they want Scotland to be part of it and they want their culture to be part of it and they want the songs and the dancing and everything to be there

when that curtain raises in the USA, Canada, Mexico and it's difficult to explain but it is it's just such a special thing for a Scottish football fan to see their country at a World Cup talking about outnumbered England fans there I think Scots outnumbered Germans

in Germany there there was so many. It was extraordinary and it's going to be the same you know the amount of Scots and the diaspora is huge around the world as well and certainly in the Americas it is but the numbers that will go over there and the song they sing here no Scotland

no party that's actually very important for the Scots to say it's going to be better with us because we're going to have a real party and you're going to join us and anyone who spent any time in Germany which is a real classic version of it we didn't play that well but boy did we party well

and I don't mean the players I mean the supporters but also did we show the culture up so well and the amount of German tourists that started coming over to Scotland after that because they fell in love with the people in the country so that's what Scotland wants to share

so it's bigger than just the actual football it's actually much much more than that it's being part of a world that we helped to start that we're being left behind and we're kind of back again it's great I think Rach whichever part of this World Cup and it might be

more than one country who knows but whether it's Canada, whether it's Mexico, whether it's the USA, whichever small towns are suddenly full of Scotland fans, because they're staying there on the outskirts of a big city, whichever country it's in, the experience will be richer there for the presence of Scotland. Oh, absolutely. And Aaron Cuthbert's just talking about messages. And in Cuthbert's just message me saying, get your flights booked. So if she wants me to be there, I'm going to do what Erin says. but yeah we'll travel in absolute

you know hundreds of thousands and there's lots of Scotland obviously spent seven years in the US wherever you go you come across people that have a connection or are Scottish and they always talk to you about football and it's going to be wonderful we can get some more reaction

from pitchside as well we can hear from John McGinn who's been talking about that amazing goal from Kenny McLean from the halfway line I've played with Kenny since, for years at St. Mirren. To see that ball hit the net for him was a feeling... I'm going here.

I can't even explain, to be honest. Kenny's been criticised many times in a Scotland jersey, sometimes not fairly. But he came in tonight in difficult circumstances and I thought he was outstanding. I thought we were pretty rubbish, to be honest, but who cares? I thought Denmark, even ten men,

they moved the ball a bit better. They look more assured, but we've had a lot of trauma as a Scotland team. A lot of hits, but tonight to go over the line was such an amazing feeling. John, it feels like it's a really emotional win for everybody. How much has that been building up? It has. The Gaffir's team talk was exceptional before we left the hotel. What we've been through together as players and staff has been outstanding.

It's a privilege every time we meet up. It's just humble guys, what it do well for our country. And you can see it on the pitch. We left absolutely everything out there and a few wonder goals. but we're going to a World Cup and I just kind of believe it. Todd, tell us, because the emotion at the end

is just super chargier away. Tell us what it's like on the pitch when you're up, we're up one, we're pegged back, we're up again, we're peg back, how are you having to go again sit off, go again? What's the emotional charge like at that point in time? It's horrible. Absolutely horrible

because I've hit the shot and I thought odd day it's in. I thought it's in. Probably should I've passed it. But then you get the hit. I thought a block dog is shot. it in, you think that's it again. Gloria's failure, you think it's us again, another blow, you think about the playoffs, I was thinking about the playoffs

at 91st minute, I was thinking about it, I thought, oh no, no again, but my shot was actually going in and it hit Granty's backside, but then for KT it's no easy to miss, to be fair, is it? What a strike for KT and just the feeling I'll never, ever feel like that in a football part

again, ever. We were all, I mean, you'll probably see footage just later on in some sort of social media the platform where we're going off her head, except Peter, obviously. But when Kearie's fine in the back of the net, is that moment, has there any thought of you saying, right, we're there now that it's done? How do you then switch back on when the ref tells you

there's actually another minute to go when it's done? He wasn't making his mind up. He asked him how long he was adding. He said three or four. And then he realized how long they had all the checks took. Then he said six. Then after we scored, they said there's five minutes and I thought I can't handle us.

I couldn't move again. Honestly, when the ball came down the right side, I was gubbed with the effort we put in. Oh, amazing. Denmark are a really good team. Let's not forget that. But just for us as a country, let's try and build on it.

We need to improve and we need to do better in this major tournament. It's amazing achievements. We don't need to look at the performance. We just need to look at the result. John, you're going to the World Cup finals. Absolutely unbelievable. Brilliant.

You're done, mate. Have an amazing time. Whether it's the USA, Canada, Mexico, you won't care. Well, I'm a drug test. It's always me. Oh, is that what you've got to go in? I must have a look at me. Thanks very much.

What a brilliant interview that is. Rach, do you know what strikes me about that? And it's been the true of all the interviews that we've been hearing is that, you know, these guys are professional footballers and they get interviewed all the time. And I think sometimes in post-match interviews, and I'm sure it was the same for you guys, it almost is like a different persona that comes on. They just sound like their 10-year-old kids again who love Scotland. Do you know what I mean?

It's amazing. And I think there is a feeling of that. when you come to Scotland Camber, Scotland environment, it's home and all these players, you know, one of the biggest reasons why a lot of them love football is because they grew up like all of us as football fans. They loved playing the game.

And they're just fortunate that they've honed their skills and they're exceptionally good at it and we're a wonderful group of players at the moment. But that feeling of being at home is very special. And I think when you have a great group, as we've touched on many times, a well-connected group, that is just something that gives you that extra edge. the moments when you need it and some people may say we're a little fortunate tonight

because it felt like a lot of those really epic moments that we needed all came in one night but we certainly loved it and we deserve to win tonight I think some people might say we would order luck at times but for me we deserve to win we played the game was it almost pat like a sort of a dream scape of the Scottish football experience because you heard the guy saying that the number of here we go again moments over and over again going through them minds. But we've had a few of them under Stevie Clark. No, once in a lifetime moments and I had a bunch of them. That's not supposed to happen. One of the interviews we got earlier than mentioned that that's better than the Norway game. Now the game in Norway was Scotland

won two now, or two one late on in the game and you just thought, I actually didn't think I would ever see something bigger than better than that with the comeback in the last minutes at Scotland. And since then I've always kind of believed the capabilities of doing things and not just the ability but the managers knowing what to put in place for it to happen. But what I'm listening to all the way through then is every single player. I love what you said

there, but the childlike wonder of what they were talking. The accents have gone. We're straight back on the streets again. We've lost all efforts to be understandable and we're all exactly the same. But every player who's spoken, that we've spoken to, I've listened

to tonight, I've loved the line from him. I mean, Karen Tierney's line, I'm asking what it's like was his mental man. Obviously, it's just get his mental man. And what was it, Robo?

He said, Never say die, never say die. And the excitement comes through in these moments, but they actually mean something. You know, there is a never,

ever, ever disbelieve it. And you feel as if you can't run, then you look around at all the other guys who can't run, but they're running. So you do it.

And it's a very, very special moment, a very, very special team. And I'm just so happy. for them all. I'm not going to say we were the better team tonight. Absolutely not. But not always the best team in every game wins. Sometimes the team that wants it,

that needs it. They're the wind. Did Scotland need it then? Is that what it was? That's how it feels? Yeah, we've needed it for a long, long, long time. It's been torture. And it's been painful for the entire nation, and also for all the players that have missed out in that opportunity. You talk about great players over the years that, you know, Georgia Best never went to a World Cup.

There are other players you mentioned. but a lot of players down there you think that that shouldn't happen you should get a chance and they're going to get a chance now so for them yeah I'm delighted for them Some of them needed it

because it really probably is their last opportunity Andy Robertson 31 I mean Craig Gordon definitely is like I mean he might still be going might still be going at 50 who knows but Andy Robertson 31 years old Grant Hanley 33 John McGinn 31

you know there's players in there Kenny McLean 33 I mean, there's players in there who were looking at this being the last opportunity to experience something so very, very special. And that probably plays into it. And all their experiences, we heard Andy Robertson, the lovely words he had for Diego Jota and how much he was on his mind today. All these players will have experiences.

They'll have people at the back of their mind. They'll have something that will make them go that extra little mile. And then you add into that that it's now or never. for these players and they've done it and they will be there. The other result from Tuesday night saw Wales Thrasch North Macedonia 7-1 to secure a home advantage for their World Cup playoff semi-final. We can also hear then from their manager Craig Bellamy. Really enjoyed it even from the first few minutes.

I don't know, I spoke about to the players in the meeting just before we came here. It was like we could really enjoy tonight. There could be something in this for us tonight the way they play. and how we are able to combat that, you really should be looking forward to tonight. And I said to him then just at the end, it was, I'm not a perfect person. I haven't come across anyone who is,

but maybe I take a little bit of that back because I was as closest to the perfect performance I've seen. I was incredible. So was that the best performance of the campaign for you? Was it for you. I'm asking you the question. Yeah, but I can ask you back to you. What do you think, though?

Yes, definitely. What do you think? I do, yes. We go, we're in agreement. We're in agreement. What pleased you most about the performance? Just the way we were able to use the ball and our timing. You know, we didn't play with a forward today.

We went three turns. But they were in a position where you drag someone out and then someone runs and the wide players then were connected with it as well. The position, the set of backs, how they were able to adapt their positions off how they were looking to press and then the positions of the forebacks they go high, then it can drop, come narrow, connect with a six. So there was so much, I just thought we were so clean with the ball,

and that allows you then to have good chances, and then today was one of those days we were able to take him as well. Harry Wilson, you spoke about him so highly in the week, captain tonight for the first time, Anna Hattrick. He was absolutely superb out there. Yeah, he's only, I've only seen a superb side of him since I've been in this role. So today, like we played him as,

as a false nine. But he has the intelligence to be able to do that. You can't always do that with players. But with him, it's not a problem. And today he was, you know, he was captain and he was incredible. The draw on Thursday now,

you'll be happy to play anyone at home, surely after a result of performance like that? No, we're adept, we're adjust, and there's a tricky team still left in it. Big congratulations of Scotland as well tonight. I love seeing a home nation's do well. I really do. so a big congratulations to them

and we it's give us more incentive for me personally I want to be joining them as well so and hopefully Ireland are able to do that as well Pat I just want to give you the final words here and I don't know what the answer to this question is going to be but of many many great things you have given us on Five Live over the years an access to the Scottish vernacular

and access to words we'd never heard before like stramash when everything goes a bit crazy on the pitch Is there a word for this? Look, you're putting me on the spot, but I can only say it's pure dead, brilliant, man. That'll do. Guys, thank you so much. Absolutely amazing.

Pat Nevin, Ailey Barber, Rachel Corsy. What a night. The mowers are on, down pitchside here at Hamden Park. It looks like any pitch after any night, but this wasn't any night. This was the night. This was a historic night. for Scotland. And one more time with feeling, Scotland fans, your weight is over. He scored goals, lifted trophies and broken records along the way.

There it is. It's a day to remember for Wayne Rooney. And now he's got a podcast. Welcome to the Wayne Rooney show. Twice a week, Wayne Rooney, Kay Curd and me, Kelly Somers, break down the biggest stories in the Premier League and beyond. As much as you'd like to say it, loyalty in football now is no existence, whether that's fun players or managers. Plus, we'll hear the funniest, wildest and most outrageous stories from Wayne's career. The Wayne Rooney show. Everybody's talking about it.

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