Scotland boss Steve Clarke has insisted Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick of all time after the Tartan Army beat Denmark 4-2 to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday night.
The hosts produced a sublime performance to reach the tournament for the first time since 1998, back when Craig Brown ruled the roost.
McTominay got the ball rolling in the third minute of the match, with the Napoli midfielder acrobatically firing his side ahead.
Rasmus Hojlund, McTominay's former Manchester United teammate, levelled for Denmark from the penalty spot.
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The contest looked as though it would end in a draw after Patrick Dorgu cancelled out a goal from Lawrence Shankland.
But Scotland produced a dramatic finale, with Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean netting to spark wild celebrations around the ground.
It was a monumental night for Clarke and his side, with emotions running high following the final whistle.
And the Scotland boss said McTominay's overhead kick was the 'best I've ever seen', though suggested McLean's remarkable effort from the halfway line may have pipped it for best goal of the night.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke has insisted Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick of all time after the Tartan Army beat Denmark 4-2 to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday night
|REUTERS
He said: "Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick I've ever seen and it might not have been the best goal of the night!
"It was a lot of emotions. High and low. At times, you're looking for solutions and thinking how to change it. I knew at some stage we'd have to go two up front.
"I felt the Danes were dominating us a little. It seemed like a good time [to make the changes]. Whether they were 10 or 11 [men], we were going to do that.
"I spoke to Kieran [Tierney] before the first game. He's a key player for me, one of my men. I've got loads of them. 14 were involved in the play-off game.
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Steve Clarke was jubilant after Scotland qualified for the 2026 World Cup
|REUTERS
"I said 'listen, Aaron Hickey can't do back-to-back games, I can see you coming on at right-back and doing very well for us'.
"I'm not sure I envisioned the goal... but when it was rolling back to him on his left foot, I knew he would score.
"When [Kenny] hit it, I thought 'what are you doing?!' but when I saw it in flight, I thought 'that's going to go in!'"
Clarke also revealed what he told players before the match.
"We've been on a journey," he added. "I spoke to them about it pre-match, about how this is the opportunity we've waited for. What a night, eh?
"We've been close to the World Cup before. When you look back at the Ukraine game, we probably froze on the day. We didn't play with that freedom.
"We qualified for the Euros, got to a play-off, qualified for a Euros. This was the chance. One game. This was like a play-off final. We put everything on the line.
"There's always one last step, and it's always the hardest. To put their mind at ease, make them comfortable, make them know they could handle the occasion.
Kenny McLean netted a stunner of his own in Scotland's 4-2 victory over Denmark
|REUTERS
"Some moments in the game went in our favour. We went 2-1 up against 10 men, but conceded and we thought 'what are we doing?'
"But that's the Scotland way."
While it was a sensational evening for Scotland, it was a devastating one for Denmark.
Brian Riemer's side will now have to reach the World Cup via a play-off following the drama at Hampden.
They finished second in their group, with Greece third and Belarus third.
Meanwhile, Wales could be their next opponent after they also reached the play-offs with an emphatic 7-1 victory over North Macedonia in Cardiff.