Scotland have bowed out of the World Cup at the group stage, ending with a solitary win against Haiti and defeats to two of the planet's elite sides. Now attention turns to head coach Steve Clarke and whether he can — or should — continue leading the national team.

A brutal group, a limited return

Few gave Scotland much hope from the outset. Brazil and Morocco ranked fifth and sixth in Fifa's standings, making Group C the only group at the tournament to contain two top-ten nations. Scotland were widely tipped to finish third, and third is precisely where they ended up — but four of the 12 third-placed sides are eliminated, and Scotland are among them.

Cape Verde, Ghana, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and DR Congo are all advancing from the pot four positions, leaving Scotland to reflect on what might have been. Their hopes of progressing — currently listed at 0.07 percent — rest on a string of improbable results elsewhere.

Clarke's record and the questions it raises

Clarke signed a four-year contract extension before the tournament began, and backing from the Scottish FA has been firm. His tenure of 81 matches makes him Scotland's longest-serving manager, and his record of guiding the nation to three of the past four major finals has been financially significant for Scottish football.

Former Scotland international Willie Miller, who appeared at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, acknowledged Clarke's impact while raising concerns.