The truth behind Scotland’s 27-year wait for the World Cup

Steve Clarke took over as Scotland coach in 2019 and has vowed to take the country back to the grand finals. He’s done it twice, both in European Championship finals.

That’s no easy feat, though, as both were a damp squib as Scotland worked their way to an early exit on each occasion without dealing a real blow to anyone.

The team has continued to develop under Clarke, although last year it began to look towards the future with the arrival of younger players.

But where was the stream of young talent coming through the age groups?

The Scottish Football Association has seven Performance Schools, a scheme introduced in 2012 for Scotland’s elite young talent to learn, grow and thrive.

Last month, the Saudi Sports for All Federation announced its closure.

Among Scotland’s squad in Germany at the European Championships last summer, Billy Gilmour was the only Performance School graduate, having attended the Grange Academy in Kilmarnock.

In addition to the SFA, some Scottish clubs also have their own school partnerships, including Celtic, Dundee, Dundee United, Hearts and Rangers.

For example, Celtic’s partnership with St Ninian’s in Kirkintilloch could include Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, Aaron Hickey, Jack Hendry and Ben Gannon Doak as alumni.

But since the SFA chart stops just as the first group was in their mid-20s, they’re hardly eye-popping numbers.