A remarkable story about a match in Largs in the early career of Scotland's footballing hero Steve Clarke has come to light. 

It follows his triumph leading the country to its first major finals in 22 years after beating Serbia on penalties to clinch a spot at next year's Euro 2020. 

The Saltcoats-born manager first became involved in the game when he played at St Mary's Primary and St Andrew's Academy, before moving on to boys club Saltcoats Star. 

With games played across North Ayrshire, Clarke recalled a story which highlighted the ambition of coaches to get him and the rest of his squad to a match in Largs. 

He praised local man Alex Tulloch for going the extra mile to make sure the youngsters made it to the game from Saltcoats. 

Clarke said: "I remember playing a game at Largs where Alex squeezed six of us into his car and put six more on the train, and tried to beat it to Largs station so that he could get all twelve of us there in time. 

"That's what these guys did. They gave up so much of their time to get a team on the pitch for the local kids."

Clarke went on to play for St Mirren and Chelsea before moving in to coaching where he managed at West Brom, Reading, Aston Villa and Kilmarnock. 

He took up the post as national team manager last year and has overseen a revolution for the national side.