Scotland shocked Denmark at Hampden Park last night to secure automatic qualification to their first FIFA World Cup since the 1998 tournament in France – with Rangers fan and former youth player Kenny McLean lobbing Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line to secure a 4-2 win.
This means that a host of Rangers first teamers could be set to head to the 2026 iteration of the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico – including goalkeeper Liam Kelly, defender John Souttar and midfielder Connor Barron, all of whom were in last night's squad – whilst both Lyall Cameron and Findlay Curtis will be hoping some late season form could see them secure a shock spot on the plane.
Steve Clarke will become the first Scottish manager since the late Craig Brown to lead the national team to the biggest stage and will become the one of only two former SPFL managers to head stateside – alongside former Motherwell player Roberto Martínez, who will lead Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to the tournament - with a squad pool including Rangers forward Yousef Chermiti who says he is “waiting for [his] opportunity” to become part of the first team squad at the World Cup.
The other former boss heading to the World Cup is former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat – manager of the Gers from 1998 until the end of 2001.
Currently manager of CONCACAF side Curaçao – who, after their 0-0 draw away to Jamaica last night, became the smallest ever nation to qualify for FIFA’s biggest prize.
The Dutch boss, now 78, was not present at the match due to a family emergency back in the Netherlands but will take charge next Summer as the Dutch constituent country head to mainland North America.
In doing so he will become the oldest ever manager in World Cup history - breaking the record that belongs to Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 years and 317 days when he led Greece in their final World Cup match in 2010.
Former Rangers midfielder Juninho Bacuna will join Advocaat at the tournament as he is a mainstay of the Curaçao side.
The ‘Blue Wave’ could face off against Clarke’s ‘Tartan Army’ next summer – where Advocaat would be in the dugout opposite ex-Rangers goalkeeper Chris Woods – who is currently the goalkeeping coach for Kelly and the Scotland National Team and assistant manager Steven Naismith – also formerly of the Ibrox side.
The draw will take place after the playoffs have been completed and all sides confirmed.