HEAT IS ON AND I LOVE IT

STEVE CLARKE insists Scotland have no margin for error as he thrives on the pressure of ending the nation's World Cup exile.

- CRAIG SWAN

And the manager says his fired-up squad are desperate to make amends for the agony of a huge missed chance to make the last showpiece in Qatar.

Having last appeared at France 1998, Scotland begin the six-game sprint for the 2026 finals against Denmark and Belarus next month. Clarke feels the scrutiny to end the pain but said: "I think that's what you live on. You live on pressure in this game.

"If you don't thrive on the pressure then you should probably be better hanging up your boots, or in my case, your whistle and stopwatch.

"It's something that comes with the territory. I mentioned pressure but at the same time I also mentioned excitement because you're excited for the challenge.