Key players have rediscovered form and the manager has shown great aptitude of the role after dramatic Poland win

Parliamentarians must look enviously at Steve Clarke’s ability to captivate or switch public opinion. Clarke was a national hero when guiding Scotland to Euro 2024. Failure there – or, specifically, the manner of that failure – fuelled a sense Scotland may require a new manager by the start of World Cup qualifying. Three defeats to open the Nations League only emphasised that change was needed.

It was always worth remembering that Clarke had raised expectations in the first place, courtesy of tournament qualifications his predecessors could not achieve despite media love-bombing.