Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has conceded he “feels the pressure” to get the nation to their first World Cup finals in 28 years.
Under Clarke’s guidance the Scots have reached two European Championships, but have failed to emulate the achievement of Craig Brown’s group in 1998.
The country’s latest qualification campaign, this time for next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, commences away to the formidable Danes on 5 September.
“I feel the pressure,” the stoic and normally unshakable Clarke told BBC Sport.
“I think there is a pressure because we do want to get there, the whole country wants to get there, and obviously as a head coach a little bit of that comes back on me.
“But I’m looking forward to it.”
The Scotland boss was speaking to Match of the Day’s Kelly Cates as he prepares for what potentially could be his last campaign.
The 61-year-old, who is due to name his squad next week, has previously said he is 75% sure his time in charge of his country will come to a close after this World Cup campaign ends.
It is a journey which started just over six years ago, with Scotland having not qualified for a major finals since that French sojourn back under Brown.
A summer fling has been flung twice at the Euros, albeit with the Scots falling flat in their attempts to make it out of a group for the first time.
In World Cup qualifying, a glorious chance to make it to Qatar was passed up in a home play-off to Ukraine.
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