Poor Scotland have to be 'at a higher standard'

Scotland coach Steve Clarke was angered by his side's "poor" performance as they ground out a 2-1 home win over Belarus on Oct 12 to stay in contention for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup.

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Scott McTominay scored the second goal in Scotland's 2-1 win over Belarus, but coach Steve Clarke says the victory is "one small crumb of comfort". PHOTO: AFP

(PHOTO: AFP)

Elsewhere, the Netherlands closed in on securing their berth at the tournament in North America with a win over Finland.

Clarke's Scotland sit joint-top of Group C on 10 points with Denmark, after the Danes beat Greece 3-1 with Rasmus Hojlund opening the scoring for the home team in Copenhagen.

Denmark are first in the pool on goal difference, but their win ensured Scotland of at least a playoff spot as they bid to make a first World Cup appearance since 1998.

The table-toppers meet in the final qualification matchday on Nov 18 in Glasgow.

"We know every game from now until the end is so important," midfielder Scott McTominay told BBC Scotland after defeating Belarus.

"It's been good in terms of points picked up, but we know we've got to be better than what we've shown everybody does, me included. We've got to be at a higher standard than this."

Clarke did not mince his words.