We were officially knocked out of the tournament on Saturday night after finishing third in Group C behind Brazil and Morocco.
The Tartan Army footsoldiers still out in Miami were left heartbroken as our World Cup dream finally ended last night before manager Steve Clarke handed in his resignation.
We were officially knocked out of the tournament on Saturday night after finishing third in Group C behind Brazil and Morocco, after days of waiting to see if our nations could do us a favour.
After claiming three points in the opening game against Haiti, we crashed out after Croatia’s 2-1 victory over Ghana saw us failing to finish among the top eight third-placed teams who progressed to the last 32 to join the 24 first and second-placed countries.
Shortly before the tournament, Clarke had penned a new four-year deal that would have taken him through to the next World Cup in 2030, as well as the home European Championships in 2028, and it would have seen him clock up 11 years in the job.
But in a bombshell statement in the early hours of Sunday morning, the 62-year-old penned a heartfelt farewell to his players, staff, and the Tartan Army.
Supporters who had travelled across the pond were left shocked at the news as they spoke to the Record after coming to terms with our elimination from the tournament.
Rio Carson, 19, who is from Glasgow but now lives on the Isle of Wight, travelled across to Miami with his dad Alan, 53, and his brothers Sol, 21, and Tao, 16.
Rio, who runs a window cleaning business, said: “I can’t deny Clarke has been a success but it is time for some fresh ideas. We were just on flight waiting to fly back to UK from Miami when the news broke.
“It quickly spread around the flight as the plane was full of Tartan Army. Most of us seemed relieved he had stepped down.
“We won’t ever forget those nights at Hampden which got us to the tournament. But after watching Scotland on the biggest stage it was obvious that change was needed.
“His interviews after the Brazil game gave the impression he was done with it. We have a lot to be grateful for – he got us back to the big stage three times and gave us all memories that will last a lifetime. He masterminded some massive qualifying wins v Norway, Spain and Denmark – but the time is right for change.”
Lee Barron flew out to Florida on Monday and the 38-year-old, from Perth, echoed those sentiments. He said: “I was shocked to hear the news, but after the Brazil game, hearing his reaction, it was maybe on his mind about throwing the towel in.
“I think he’s been successful – seven years, three tournaments qualified for. I’ve liked him throughout his term as manager, but I think it’s the manner of the defeat. In all three we haven’t performed well. We’re not wanting to be a country that’s just there to have a party and make up the numbers.
“I don’t think the players have helped him much either. They haven’t stepped up to the mark. Some of the responsibility has to land there too.
“I would have kept him in for longer. He’s been given a four year deal – but maybe he thought the time feels right. He’s been there for seven years, he’s done what he can with the players he’s got. He’s built a squad.
“A lot of them won’t see another tournament either because of their age, so he’s maybe looked at it and said it’s time to move on. But I’d just like to thank him, because he’s gave us some amazing opportunities – so cheers Steve!”
Speaking after our elimination from the competition was confirmed, Kian Halbert, a 25-year-old banker from Kilbirnie, and his brother Conor, a 21-year-old forklift driver, said the performance in this summer’s tournament wasn’t good enough.
Kian said: “I’m gutted. We’ve had a great time in America, but we should have performed better. After the Haiti game, we were happy we got the three points, but looking back we probably should have created more. I’m just gutted that we only got one goal in the whole tournament. It’s not good enough.”
Conor said: “We’ve had a great time here, except for Wednesday. You could see that, when we created chances, we looked a threat – but we never did that enough and we paid the price.
“That 1-0 win against Haiti never seemed like enough. Haiti scored more than us in the group. That says a lot. We didn’t deserve to go through. But we’ve never seen us in a World Cup in our lifetime, so we have to thank Steve for that. It has been an amazing trip.”
Aimee Ronnie, 19, and her sister Kaitlin, 21, are both from Glasgow and work for Next. Aimee said: “It’s been a pretty disappointing campaign. It’s a bit of a downer, but what can you do? We’re here, we’re having a party, we’re having a laugh. It’s still been great.
“The Scots have really taken over, but it’s really disappointing to go home this early. I was really hoping we were going through. I really thought we were going to do enough for the first time ever, so that’s disappointing.”
Meanwhile Hector Macleod, a 36-year-old who works for Scottish Water and is from Skye, has travelled across to America with his wife, 28-year-old wife Alex, who manages restaurants.
The pair had hoped to stay out longer if Scotland had got through, and Hector said: “I still had hope up until late on Friday night, but when the final whistle went against Egypt and Iran had got a draw, I knew that was it.
“We had booked to be out for another week or two. We had tickets up until the last 16, so we’re really disappointed. We’re going to extend our holiday to Puerto Rico for a few days then go home.
“It’s been a big let down. I was optimistic and thought we could top the group at the start. It’s probably our best ever chance to, so I just feel really let down.
“I don’t think Clarke was completely to blame. I don’t think the players have done enough when it’s got to the important games – it was the same with the Euros. When it matters they haven’t shown up. It’s still very raw, but we’ve had an amazing time. It’s been the trip of a lifetime. I didn’t think we could ever top Germany but this has been unreal.”
Innes Matheson, 13, has travelled over from Airdrie with his sister Eilidh, 9, and Lyle Randall, 12. Innes said: “I was expecting this, to be honest. 1-0 against Haiti was disappointing. I never thought we’d beat Brazil but we were unlucky against Morocco.
“I just hope we aren’t waiting too long to qualify for another World Cup because we’ve had a great time in Miami, but the football wasn’t good enough.”
Sandy Gray, a 72-year-old roofer, from Arbroath, and Duncan Pirie, a 32-year-old social worker, from Aberdeen, were sitting at the Bayfront Park area in Miami as they reflected on the news.
Duncan said: “It has just been incredible to be in Miami with my family. We are feeling deflated. We are devastated but we are still partying hard.
“I was four years old last time we made a World Cup, so this has been a huge moment for all of us. We have to thank Clarke for that.”
Sandy added: “We waited for 28 years, and it was gone in a heartbeat. I feel sorry for Clarke – and everyone else too – but hey-ho, we lived the dream. It has still been the trip of a lifetime.”
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