John Swinney backs Steve Clarke for knighthood after Scotland World Cup qualification

John Swinney has backed calls for Steve Clarke to be given a knighthood.

The First Minister said it would “be a lovely idea” for the Scotland manager to be honoured for taking the men’s football team to next year’s Fifa World Cup.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said King Charles “is maybe a little bit concerned” because Mr Clarke is the “new King of Scotland”.

Steve Clarke has been backed for a knighthood | SNS Group

The pair were speaking to journalists in Westminster after Mr Swinney spoke at the Institute for Government think-tank on Wednesday afternoon.

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Mr Clarke became the first manager to take the Scotland men’s team to three major tournaments when his side triumphed over Denmark 4-2 at Hampden on Tuesday night.

When asked if Mr Clarke should receive a knighthood, Mr Swinney said: “Ministers have got essentially to keep out of honours. But not withstanding that point, I think it would be a lovely idea.

“But you know what I mean. I’m not filling in a form, but I think it would be a lovely idea.”

John Swinney and Stephen Flynn attended Euro 2024 in Germany | PA

Aberdeen South MP Mr Flynn added later on: “When it comes to Steve Clarke, I think King Charles is maybe a little bit concerned right now because we’ve got a new King of Scotland, which is Steve Clarke himself.”

READ MORE: Scotland's epic rollercoaster to World Cup on night of incredible drama at Hampden

Mr Swinney attended the game in the southside of Glasgow before travelling to London early on Wednesday morning.

Earlier on Wednesday, the MSP posted a picture of the team leaving the pitch after the match on X with the caption: “ Morning. [Scotland National Team]⁩ come off the pitch after a sensational game last night. Thank you for such a momentous occasion.”

The team qualified for the world’s premier football tournament for the first time since 1998 in dramatic circumstances on Tuesday.

Thousands of Scots are expected to make the journey to North America next summer, with the tournament taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.