Connor Barron returned to the Rangers Training Centre this week carrying the same sense of disbelief and pride shared across the country.
Scotland’s dramatic qualification for their first World Cup since 1998 has not only altered the national mood but it has sharpened the focus of every player dreaming of a place on the plane next summer.
For Barron, who didn’t feature on the pitch but was embedded in every moment behind the scenes, the experience illuminated the strength of the group Steve Clarke has assembled.
He said: “It’s a top, close-knit group. The hype around the game was massive, but the experience in the dressing room kept everyone focused.”
A week split between Athens and Hampden forged an intense, united atmosphere.
Every meeting, every training drill, every conversation built towards one of the most emotionally charged nights Scottish football has witnessed in a generation.
Barron describes Tuesday night’s victory over Denmark, the result that confirmed Scotland’s long-awaited World Cup return, as the pinnacle of his young career.
He explained: “It was an unforgettable night, a real proud moment and an honour to be part of the group.
“It’s probably the highest point of my career so far.”
Even from the sidelines, the sense of history unfolding was inescapable. Barron speaks of the raw emotion in the stadium, the disbelief in the dugout, and the eruption in the dressing room afterwards.
“You can never script a game like that.
“The celebrations afterwards were brilliant, all the boys were buzzing,” he said.
The achievement has recalibrated Barron’s ambitions. Being part of the squad has strengthened his belief that a World Cup place is within reach, but only if he delivers at Rangers.
He said: “You’ve got to do the business here first.
“It’s down to me performing well for Rangers to make sure I’m on that plane next summer.”
Scotland’s improbable route to qualification, from 3–0 down in Athens to the triumph at Hampden, has reinforced Barron’s understanding of football’s unpredictability.
“You can never write football, anything can happen.
“You’ve got to keep believing and keep that drive.”
It’s an insight he intends to carry into club football, particularly as Rangers navigate a season that has already veered wildly in emotion and expectation.
The international break did more than create history. For Barron, it expanded his horizons, hardened his mentality, and set a new bar for what is possible in the months to come as Rangers look to navigate their way back into the Scottish Premiership title fight.