Scotland have waited almost three decades for a chance to play at the World Cup, but Steve Clarke’s side finally has the chance to end their exile from the tournament in this week’s final qualification games against Greece and Denmark.
Level on points with Denmark at the top of Group C, the national team can secure an automatic path to the next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada if they can secure at least a draw against Greece, before beating the Danes next Tuesday at Hampden Park.
The last time Scotland sealed qualification to the World Cup came way back on 11 October 1997. Led by the late, great Craig Brown, the national team beat Latvia 2-0 at Celtic Park to nab a place in one of the two automatic qualifying spots ahead of Sweden, thanks to strikes from Kevin Gallacher and Gordon Durie.
But what happened to the Scotland starting XI from the last time Scotland qualified for the World Cup back in 1997?
9. John Collins
Shortly after the World Cup in France, the midfielder left Monaco in Ligue 1, to sign for Everton, where he played for two seasons before ending his career with Fulham in 2003. Immediately started to work on his coaching badges, and was named as manager of former club Hibs in 2006, Collins would last just 14 months in the role, despite ending their wait for a major trophy by leading them to a 5–1 win over Kilmarnock in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final. Had a five-month spell in charge of Charleroi, and spent a year as director of football at Livingston back in 2012. Returned to Celtic in 2014 when he was appointed as Ronny Deila's assistant, but left in 2016. Most recently, Collins has been working in punditry. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
10. Kevin Gallacher
One of only five Scottish players to win the English Premier League, the Blackburn Rovers hitman was capped 53 times by the national team. A year after playing at the World Cup for Scotland, the Clydebank-born forward became Bobby Robson's first signing at Newcastle United. He retired in 2002 after a short spell with Huddersfield Town and moved into media work, where he has worked as a co-commentator and studio analyst for Sky Sports, BBC Scotland, and Channel 5. Wrote a book in 2006 entitled Tartan Turmoil: The Fall & Rise of Scottish Football, while his niece Amy scored a last-minute goal to help Celtic Women win their first-ever Scottish Women's Premier title in May 2024. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
11. Gordon Durie
Scoring 52 goals in 179 appearances, the Paisley-born hitman played a key role in Rangers' success during the late 90s, before signing for Hearts at the turn of the Millennium. Retiring shortly afterwards, Durie moved into coaching and was appointed assistant manager of East Fife in 2012, but was forced to resign due to a health scare. He later joined the Rangers coaching staff in July 2013, working with the club's reserve teams. He was promoted to a first-team coaching role in December 2014, following the departure of manager Ally McCoist. Durie remained at Rangers for a further year, but upon the arrival of Mark Warburton. He now occasionally works as a guest speaker at football-related events. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
12. Sub: Tosh McKinlay
The 22-cap international enjoyed spells with Dundee, Hearts, Celtic, Stoke City, and Grasshopper before retiring with Kilmarnock in 2000. Named in the Scotland squad for the 1998 World Cup, he came on as a substitute in the opening game against world champions Brazil, but retired after the loss to Morocco, which resulted in elimination from the tournament. Upon retirement, he took up a post as an internet sports journalist with a Norwegian media company, but now reportedly works as a scout for Celtic. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602