Steve Clarke says the nation will need to wait to see his smile following Scotland's qualification for next summer's European Championships.

The manager watched on as a second-string Scotland side were thumped 4-1 in France. Billy Gilmour had the Scots in the lead and strangely enough, despite the score, the visitors performed pretty well in Lille. 

However, France stepped up a few gears and showed their top quality in the end with goals from Benjamin Pavard, Kylian Mbappe and Kingsley Coman.

Clarke insists his side will need to learn from their mistakes though as they aim to take six points from the remaining six available in Group A of Euro 2024 qualifying next month.

"It was always going to be a tough game for us," the manager admitted. "We started really well. But we conceded a goal from a corner and when you play the top teams and they're capable of scoring from open play, you can't concede off set plays.

"The first is a free header from a corner, so we'll look at that. We'll try and do better. The second is from a second phase of a set play, so we'll look at that as well. 

"The third, which probably kills the game, was a really soft penalty. I don't know why VAR has to get involved and I don't know why the referee is not strong enough to stick by his original decision which was to let play go on. And then it's difficult.

"We wanted to win and perform well. With the ball, it was probably as well as we've played against a Pot 1 team. We had good possession but we didn't create enough high up the pitch until late in the game. 

"Jacob Brown came off the bench and was lively, he was good. He was a threat. Stuart Armstrong had a big chance. Those moments in the game can make the scoreline look a little bit better. 

"It's a different kettle of fish next month against two different teams. Going to Georgia now we should be confident in the way that we've played in the group. 

"We want six points, I've told them inside we want six points from the last two games. They have to go to Georgia and know that they're playing a good team, but they're not playing a top team. They have to show more on the ball and create more chances. You always have to defend well but we've got to show that we've learned some lessons from these three tough matches, England, Spain and France, all in the top 10 in the world. Difficult opponents. 

READ MORE: Billy Gilmour reflects on first Scotland goal vs France

"You need a squad, we've got a squad and we've shown we've got some good players. When you lose two wing-backs in Hickey and Robertson, it's difficult. The back three by and large defended quite well. Lewis Ferguson was very good. Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour had their moments. Kenny did well. It was a difficult night for whoever was the forward because we didn't get quick enough support to them. 

"I saw some things that I liked and I saw some things that I didn't like. I'll go away and study the videos of the last three games against the top opponents to try and give the boys some help so that we're the top team next month and we come out with the victories. 

"You never smile after you get beat. I'm just disappointed. They were dangerous every time they had the ball. They're a top team. Their one vs ones are incredible. You can be in a good shape and they've got players who can go past a defender and that creates a whole different ball game."