| Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Saturday, 25 March Kick-off: 14:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland, live text on the BBC Sport website & app, highlights on BBC One Scotland |
Steve Clarke has agreed to remain Scotland head coach until 2026, saying he believes he has become a better “person-to-person” manager.
The 59-year-old took over from Alex McLeish in 2019 and led the side to the Euro 2020 finals.
Scotland begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign at home to Cyprus on Saturday.
“I’ve settled better into the job and that’s all credit to the players,” Clarke said.
“Because they have allowed me to feel comfortable in the job and managed to get the results that have kept us moving forward.”
Despite what he views as the “one-off” disappointment of his side losing their World Cup play-off to Ukraine, Clarke believes “there’s seems to be continual improvement” under his charge.
“It’s credit to the players and my staff who get the results and performances on the pitch that persuade my bosses to talk me into signing another two years on to the contract,” he said.
Clarke admitted that, had anyone suggested in his first year in charge that he would now have signed his second contract extension, “I would have laughed at you”.
“I couldn’t quite get my head around the nuances of the job and it is a different job,” the former Kilmarnock, Reading and West Bromwich Albion manager said when comparing it with being a club boss.
“You have a lot of down time to think. Sometimes I was confusing myself – I was thinking too much and giving myself issues.”
Asked about why he had extended his deal, he replied: “I’ve always preached the value of continuity of squad selection and, if that involves me a little bit, that’s great.
“It keeps my wife happy. I don’t know why, but she likes me about the house more than if you are in a full-time job.”
Spain follow Cyprus, who were the opponents for Clarke’s first match and win in charge, in visiting Hampden three days later, with Georgia and Norway making up Group A.
“The difficulty now is that the next improvements are very difficult to make,” Clarke suggested as he reiterated his previous wish that “we don’t want to be one-tournament wonders” after reaching the last Euro finals.
Captain Andy Robertson revealed that “we are all delighted” with the “good news for the whole country”.
“Since the manager has come in, there’s been a lot more positive feeling around the Scotland national team and the fans have really took to him and the players have really took to him,” the left-back said.
“And the fact we are guaranteed one more campaign under him is big news for us all.”
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell added: “This has been one of the easiest decisions and conversations during my time as chief executive. Steve has united the nation behind a successful men’s national team.”
