Former Scotland international Kris Boyd has launched a fierce defense of Steve Clarke, calling criticism of the departing head coach an 'absolute disgrace' after his resignation was confirmed. Boyd argued that Clarke transformed Scottish football and that reaching major tournaments represented significant progress for a nation that hadn't qualified for a World Cup since 1998.

Clarke's exit came after Scotland's elimination was sealed by Ghana's loss to Croatia, ending their campaign following defeats to Morocco and Brazil despite a 1-0 victory over Haiti. The coach had signed a new four-year deal before the tournament but departs amid scrutiny over performances. Boyd emphasized that facing two top-seven ranked teams in their group made progression extremely difficult.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell revealed applications have already arrived for the vacant position and refused to rule out a foreign appointment. He acknowledged the job remains attractive despite the recent disappointment, citing Scotland's hosting of Euro 2028 and recent progress under Clarke's leadership.

However, Boyd doubts names like David Moyes and Ange Postecoglou will materialize due to financial constraints. He believes the SFA cannot compete with Premier League wages, forcing them to seek candidates within their existing salary structure rather than pursuing high-profile targets.