Sir Kenny Dalglish has stated that the Scottish FA would be “silly” not to offer head coach Steve Clarke a new contract, irrespective of Scotland’s performance at the World Cup.
Clarke has led the team to qualification for three major tournaments since 2019, but his current contract concludes after the summer’s tournament in North America.
Clarke indicated last week that the decision to retain him rested with the governing body and felt it was “50-50” that he would stay.
Dalglish Backs Clarke’s Record
Dalglish, Scotland’s record appearance holder and joint highest goalscorer, believes Clarke, who was his first-team coach with Liverpool, has earned a new contract.
“He’d be a hard act to follow if he was to go somewhere,” the 75-year-old said.
Dalglish added: “I think it would be rather silly not to give him a new contract.”
“Stevie will do what Stevie wants to do. Everybody’s contract runs out sometime, doesn’t it? But I tell you, it won’t be on results if he doesn’t stay.”
Scotland’s World Cup Preparations
Scotland are preparing for the World Cup with friendlies against Japan on Saturday and Ivory Coast next Tuesday.
They then host Curacao on 30 May before heading to the USA, where they will be in a group with Brazil, Haiti and Morocco.
The top two plus eight of the best third-placed teams from the 12 groups qualify for the last 32.
Scotland’s Chances at the World Cup
Sir Kenny, who played at three World Cups, believes Scotland have to fancy their chances of getting through to the knockout phase for the first time.
“They’ve done fantastically well to get to the World Cup, it’s a great achievement,” he said.
“There’s three chances of qualification, so three out of four, surely we can get one, hopefully we can get one.”
Sir Kenny was impressed with the 4-2 win over Denmark that clinched qualification.
“They’ve done a fantastic job to get there,” he added. “The game against Denmark was outstanding.”
“I don’t think there’s any doubt about the progress they’ve made, even if they don’t do well in the World Cup.”