Scotland players have landed back in the country following a bruising defeat at the World Cup in America.

Anthony Ralston, Scott McKenna and Nathan Patterson were among those who arrived at Glasgow Airport on Monday morning.

Jack Hendry and Findlay Curtis were also on the plane from the US, along with Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief executive Iain Maxwell and Scotland assistant coach Stephen Naysmith.

It is expected that other players will make their way back separately.

Scotland player Scott Mckenna
Scotland player Scott McKenna arriving at Glasgow Airport (Craig Meighan/PA)

It comes after Steve Clarke announced his resignation as Scotland manager following the nation’s elimination from the World Cup.

The national men’s team had beat Haiti 1-0 in their first game in Boston but were beat 1-0 by Morocco and 3-0 by Brazil.

Mr Clarke said it was a straightforward decision to step down from his role as Scotland head coach because he always planned to depart if the World Cup did not go to plan.

The 62-year-old told his players on Saturday night, at their hotel in Charlotte, that he was leaving after seven years in the job.

It came a month after he signed a new four-year contract that would have incorporated Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.

In a lengthy open letter to supporters on the Scottish Football Association’s website, the 62-year-old said: “The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn’t have had any of the memories that we’ve accumulated from 2019 until now.

“They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their gaffer.

“Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor.”

First Minister John Swinney paid tribute to the head coach, writing on X: “He has taken the team and the country on an exciting journey to reach the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and he has so much to be proud of.

“I wish him well for the future.”