'More than a manager' - Scotland players pay tribute to Clarke

Billy Gilmour has praised Steve Clarke as "more than just a manager" following the Scotland head coach's resignation. The 62-year-old told his players on Saturday night, at their hotel in Charlotte, he was ending his seven-year stint after it was confirmed the Scots had failed to get out of a World Cup group containing Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. Clarke had only recently signed a new four-year contract, but felt it was the right time to step away. Napoli midfielder Gilmour was ruled out of the World Cup because of a knee injury suffered during the warm-up win over Curacao, but still travelled out to Boston to help support the squad. The 25-year-old posted a picture on Instagram of him being embraced by Clarke on the pitch, with the caption: "More than just a manager to me." Gilmour added: "Thank you for everything you helped me with, growing as a person and a player during our time together with the national team. Best of luck with all that's to come, Gaffer." Lewis Ferguson also sent his best to Clarke in an emotional post on social media, alongside a photograph of the midfielder hunched on the pitch with his shirt pulled up over his head. "Disappointed doesn't cut it. We are sorry we let you down and didn't achieve our goal," the Bologna midfielder wrote. "The support out here and at home makes me so proud to be Scottish and it's never taken for granted so thank you all. I hope we inspired a new generation to dream again about representing Scotland on the biggest stage, we've proved that these dreams can become reality. "And finally, special mention to the man who led us there, gaffer. Thank you for making my dream to play for my country become real and I wish you all the best in the future." Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who did not play in any of the group matches, paid tribute the efforts of the whole Scotland squad and staff. "This team. The long journeys, the waiting, the breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The travels, the games, the laughs, the songs, the haircuts, the jokes, the support," he wrote on Instagram. "Getting to experience this with everyone in this photo, and behind it – made this even better. The gaffer, and the staff too. Couldn't have done more for us. "Just wish we could have done more to progress, for the incredible fans that made it out here, and back home. Thank you."