Scotland boss Steve Clarke inducted into Scottish Football's Hall of Fame

Scotland boss Steve Clarke says it is an “honour” to be inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

The recognition comes after guiding the men’s national team to their first World Cup appearance in 28 years and fresh after signing a new four-year deal through to 2030.

The 62-year-old joins Scottish football legends such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Jim Baxter, Jock Stein and Rose Reilly in being given the accolade.

The Hall of Fame has recently been revamped, and the national team boss is the first of the 2026 cohort to be inducted following public nominations and a meeting of an expert committee earlier this month.

Ahead of facing Curacao on Saturday in a final Hampden send-off before the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Clarke said: “It’s an honour to be inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

“Especially when I look at the past inductees, who have made such a positive contribution to the game.

“Individual accolades should always come second to achievements for the wider group, and I’m proud of what the players and staff – past and present – have been able to accomplish, in terms of taking Scotland back to major international tournaments after we spent too long on the sidelines.

“They have given this country all that they have, and you can see the wider impact of that across the nation.

“So, this recognition is for them as much as me.”

During his career, Clarke played for St Mirren, Chelsea and Scotland.

The former right-back won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup with the London club and also earned six caps for his country.

After retiring as a player, he moved into coaching at clubs, including Newcastle United, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool.

He worked as an assistant to the likes of Jose Mourinho, Kenny Dalglish and Gianfranco Zola.

On leaving Liverpool in 2012, he managed West Brom and Reading, as well as having a spell coaching at Aston Villa.

Clarke was appointed Kilmarnock boss in October 2017 and led them to a European place with a club record points total in his only full season in charge.

He was appointed Scotland boss in 2019, securing qualification to Euro 2020, Euro 2024 and this year’s World Cup, the men’s first appearance at the World Cup since 1998.

Speaking on behalf of the Scottish Football Museum, which houses the Hall of Fame exhibition, chairman Robert Craig said: “It is with great pleasure that we see Steve Clarke inducted into the Hall of Fame today.

“Visitors to the Museum love being in the Hall of Fame gallery and reading about the legends of the Scottish game, and Steve was a very popular nominee from our visitors and amongst the committee.

“Ahead of the most exciting summer of football, we are thrilled to honour Steve in this way.”