Steve Clarke has called on Scotland's supporters to maintain their faith as the team aims to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat when they face Portugal at Hampden Park. The national side is currently struggling, with only one victory in their last 15 matches and none in their last nine competitive games. Discontent regarding Clarke's management has been growing since the team's disappointing performance in the summer's European Championship. “I don’t see any reason why the fans shouldn’t believe in this group of players,” Clarke stated. He highlighted that the squad includes three players who rank among the top ten in terms of cap appearances for Scotland. As Clarke prepares to break the record for the most games managed with his 62nd match in charge, he remains hopeful for a turnaround in fortunes.

Andrej Kramaric's late goal secured a victory for Croatia, deepening Scotland's woes in their recent match. The 120 days since Scotland's Euro 2024 opener have been difficult for manager Steve Clarke, marked by a disappointing exit from the tournament and a shaky start in the Nations League. The team's record has now worsened to just one win in 15 matches, following this latest defeat. The circumstances of the loss were particularly painful for Scotland. In the dying moments of the game, Ché Adams thought he had equalized, only for the video assistant referee to intervene and disallow the goal for offside. Clarke, who had briefly celebrated the potential equalizer, was left visibly dejected. If Scotland's struggles continue, questions will inevitably arise regarding Clarke's future as manager, especially as the team prepares for World Cup qualifying. While it may seem harsh to judge him too severely—given his success in leading Scotland to consecutive European Championships—results in football often dictate a manager's fate.