Scotland prepares for winner takes all World Cup qualifier against Denmark

It’s a huge night for Scotland as they fight for their place at next summer’s World Cup.

Steve Clarke’s side are now one game away from qualifying for the first time since 1998.

Scotland have been given one more chance at securing automatic qualification when they face Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday. The game is a must-win – a draw or a loss means the play-offs beckon.

The match will be shown live on the BBC Two and the BBC Scotland channel, with kick-off at 19:45.

Fans will travel from all corners of the country to watch the game, with supporters’ buses leaving from Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and everywhere in between.

ScotRail is putting on additional services between Glasgow Central and Mount Florida before and after the game, and will be using longer trains to provide more seats.

Tartan Army member Daris Nesbitt said tonight’s game is “all or nothing”.

He told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme he is feeling a lot of emotions ahead of the game, and “if Scotland win tonight it’s going to be crazy for weeks on end”.

Podcaster Hazel Stewart said: “It’s ones of the biggest games I think we’ve ever played and it means so much to all of us. I’m just counting down the hours now.”

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, manager Steve Clark said his players understand what they need to do.

He said: “The players have got a job to do. If they’re not nervous or excited by the challenge ahead, they wouldn’t be at this level. They understand the magnitude of the game and what it means.”

Scotland captain Andy Robertson said the team are “excited” and know what a win would mean.

Scotland will take on Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday 18 November.

Kick-off is at 19:45.

You can watch on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and on iPlayer. You can listen on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal and Sounds.

You can also follow live text commentary on the BBC Scotland News or BBC Sport websites.

Scotland last qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France under manager Craig Brown.

The tournament saw them lose to Brazil and Morocco, and manage a draw with Norway. They exited in the tournament group stage.

What followed was a two-decade major tournament drought for the men’s national team.

They failed to qualify for six consecutive World Cups and missed five straight European Championships.

They returned at Euro 2020, their first in 24 years, but again finished bottom of their group.

Under Steve Clarke, Scotland qualified for Euro 2024, marking back-to-back Euros for the first time.

The current World Cup qualifying run has seen Scotland draw 0-0 with Denmark, beat Belarus twice and Greece once at Hampden.

They faced Greece again at the weekend in a match they thought they had to win or draw to retain hopes of automatic World Cup qualification.

Scotland lost 3-2 in Greece.

But Belarus’ surprise 2-2 draw in Copenhagen means Steve Clarke’s side will still finish top of Group C if they beat the Danes – giving the team one more shot at automatic qualification.

A win tonight would see them qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.