I still remember the first time I watched Scotland play at Hampden Park back in 2018. The atmosphere was electric, but the result was disappointing - a 2-1 loss to Israel that left the Tartan Army wondering if we'd ever see our team compete at a major tournament again. Fast forward to today, and the transformation has been remarkable. That quote from Andy Robertson about "reminiscing all those good and bad memories together, it's been tough" perfectly captures our journey. I've followed Scottish football for over twenty years now, and I can honestly say this current squad feels different - there's a resilience and quality we haven't seen since the days of Dalglish and Souness.
The turnaround really began with Steve Clarke's appointment in 2019. When he took over, Scotland hadn't qualified for a major tournament in 21 years. I was skeptical at first - we'd been through so many "rebuilding phases" that I'd lost count. But Clarke brought something different: tactical discipline combined with genuine man-management skills. He understood the Scottish mentality, that blend of passion and pragmatism that defines our approach to football. Under his guidance, we finally ended that painful drought by qualifying for Euro 2020 (played in 2021), and the scenes across Scotland when we beat Serbia on penalties were absolutely incredible. I watched that match in a packed Glasgow pub, and when David Marshall saved that final penalty, the eruption of joy was something I'll never forget.
Our current success rests heavily on some truly exceptional players. Andy Robertson isn't just our captain - he's the heart and soul of this team. I've watched him develop from a young player at Dundee United to becoming one of the world's best left-backs at Liverpool. His leadership both on and off the pitch has been transformative. Then there's Kieran Tierney - the fact that we can field two world-class left-backs says everything about our improved depth. I remember watching Tierney at Celtic when he was just 17, and even then you could see he was special. The way Clarke has managed to fit both him and Robertson into the same lineup shows tactical innovation I never thought we'd see from a Scotland manager.
The midfield has become our real strength though. Scott McTominay's transformation into a goal-scoring midfielder has been nothing short of remarkable. I'll admit I was among those who questioned whether he was truly committed to Scotland, but his 7 goals in the Euro 2024 qualifiers silenced all doubters. Then there's John McGinn - that man plays with so much passion it's infectious. His technical ability combined with that physical presence makes him a nightmare for opposition defenses. I've lost count of how many times I've seen him bulldoze through midfield and create something from nothing.
What excites me most is our emerging young talent. Billy Gilmour might only be 22, but he plays with the composure of a veteran. I watched his full debut against England at Wembley in 2021, and the way he controlled the game against much more experienced players was breathtaking. Nathan Patterson represents another success story - his move to Everton for £16 million showed that Scottish players are being recognized at the highest level again. These younger players are blending perfectly with experienced heads like Callum McGregor, creating a squad with both quality and depth that we haven't had in generations.
Looking ahead, I'm genuinely optimistic about our chances in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Nations League performances have shown we can compete consistently against quality opposition. We've risen to 30th in the FIFA rankings - our highest position in years - and there's a belief growing that this isn't just a temporary surge. The development of our youth system, particularly at clubs like Rangers and Celtic, means the pipeline of talent looks stronger than it has in decades. I've been to several under-21 matches recently, and the technical quality of these young players is light years ahead of what we were producing ten years ago.
Of course, challenges remain. We still struggle to find consistent goal-scorers at the international level, and our depth in certain positions could be better. But compared to where we were five years ago, the progress has been extraordinary. The connection between the team and supporters is stronger than I've ever known it - you can feel the belief spreading from the players to the stands and throughout the entire country. That difficult journey Robertson mentioned, through all those tough memories, has forged a resilience that's becoming our greatest strength. As we look toward the future, I truly believe this Scottish team has the potential to create memories that will eclipse all the disappointments of the past. The Tartan Army has waited a long time for this resurgence, and something tells me the best is yet to come.
