By Martin Graham
Scotland captain Andy Robertson admitted he struggled to control his emotions during a historic evening at Hampden Park. The defender said the memory of his late former team-mate Diogo Jota stayed with him throughout the game, adding that qualifying felt like a shared moment with someone he missed dearly.
Robertson, aware that this could be his last chance to reach a World Cup, described the achievement as one of the defining moments of his career. He emphasized the unity of the squad and the coaching staff, saying that the coach’s words before the game moved the whole group.
He reminisced about past milestones, including previous celebrations in Glasgow, and insisted that this latest triumph was accompanied by the best nights of his life. The captain also joked with presenter Kelly Cates, saying he was now looking forward to returning to Liverpool to share a glass of wine with his father.
McGinn’s honesty and unlikely twist
Midfielder John McGinn he didn’t sugarcoat the performance, admitting the team fell short of its usual standards. However, he stressed that the quality of the game mattered little once the final whistle blew, because the result overshadowed everything else.
McGinn said the team believed they were about to suffer another heartbreaking setback as stoppage time approached. His mind had already turned to the possibility of a play-off path, convinced that opportunity was slipping away.
Kieran Tierney’s spectacular late goals and Kenny McLean it transformed despair into euphoria. McGinn said the heightened feeling inside the stadium after Tierney’s strike was something he doubted he would experience again.
Gordon’s long journey and lasting reward
Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordondebut in Scotland came more than two decades ago, described the evening as unforgettable. The goalkeeper said the quality of the goals, including one scored from distance in the dying seconds, was nothing like what he had hoped to witness again.
Gordon reflected on the length of his international career, acknowledging that this achievement capped years of commitment and setbacks. He said the moment was particularly poignant after coming close to walking away from the game over the summer.
He credited Steve Clarke for persuading him to continue for another season and said the night justified every difficult moment. For Gordon, reaching a World Cup after so many years made the whole journey worthwhile.
Tierney and McLean in their extraordinary finishes
Kieran Tierney he entered the field in the closing stages and unleashed a magnificent attack that gave life to Scotland’s hopes. The defender described the feeling as overwhelming, admitting he barely remembers how he celebrated the moment.
Moments later, Kenny McLean produced a superb effort from his own half to seal the win. The substitute said the atmosphere drove the team forward and scoring a goal like that was beyond anything he had experienced before.
McLean said he hesitated twice before deciding to shoot, noticing that the goalie hadn’t backed away quickly enough. He added that Tierney later mocked him by calling it only the third best goal of the night, even though it was one he would never forget.
Ferguson family moment and national pride
Lewis Ferguson revealed that the day already had meaning before he even stepped onto the pitch as it coincided with his daughter’s third birthday. Although disappointed he couldn’t spend the day with her, he said seeing her after the game made the occasion complete.
Ferguson expressed his pride at being part of a group that achieved something he had never seen growing up: Scotland reaching a World Cup. He said the significance of the night would likely be felt even more the next day.
The midfielder joked that the celebrations would probably bring a few headaches, but insisted the success justified all the sacrifices made during the campaign.
