Scotland's ill-fated World Cup story finally at a sorry end

[Getty Images]There was something pitiful about the way the lights went out for Scotland at this World Cup.Not just the on-field disappointment, which was tough enough to watch, but the grim and almost lifeless hope in the aftermath.Hanging from a cliff edge by their fingertips.

Could Ghana beat Croatia by three clear goals, could DR Congo and Uzbekistan play out a draw, could Austria beat Algeria by two or more goals or could Algeria beat Austria by a minimum of four?Praying for results in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Kansas City. What a sorry end to the story.

Where does Scotland's World Cup campaign leave Clarke?One night in Miami: The Scotsmen of the apocalypseScotland's elimination from World Cup confirmedThis tournament, just like all other tournaments that they've made it to, carries on into the business end without Scotland. One goal scored.

Elijah Just of Motherwell and New Zealand has scored three times as many on his own. Jonathan David of Canada has a higher xG (expected goals) than the entire Scotland team. We could cite stats until the cows come home, but there's no real point.

Everybody accepts that Scotland deserve to depart with their tail between their legs.The Tartan Army were the best of it, a travelling support that tried to lift the team up and carry them into the knockouts. Even for tens of thousands of foot soldiers, the load was too heavy.

In three games, Scotland played admirably for two halves - the second against Morocco when they put them under pressure, and the second against Brazil when they finally had attempts on target albeit when already 3-0 down.Who is to blame for another anti-climax?There are layers to Scotland's failure.

Some blame the manager's inability to get the best out of his group of players and want him removed despite his new four-year deal. Some cut the manager some slack by saying the players, though hard-working and fiercely determined, are over-praised and over-rated at this level. Others look deeper at the woeful ina