STEVE Clarke has been appointed as the Scottish men’s national football team manager on a three-year deal.
The 55-year-old joins after leading Kilmarnock to European qualification for the first time since 2001, recording their highest league finish since 1966.
Clarke, who was named GMB and PFA manager of the year, replaces Alex McLeish, who was sacked in April.
He is expected to name his first squad by next Tuesday ahead of European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Belgium in June.
READ MORE: Steve Clarke's right hand man backs him to cope with Scotland soap opera
"It is an honour to be appointed Scotland national head coach and I will undertake those responsibilities with pride and commitment," Clarke said.
"I firmly believe we have a talented group of players who can achieve success on the international stage. I look forward to working with them and helping them to fulfil those ambitions.
"I appreciate the Scotland supporters have waited a long time for the national team to qualify for a major tournament. Now we have a Women's World Cup to look forward to in France this summer and it's my motivation to emulate the success of Shelley Kerr and her squad by leading us to EURO 2020."
Scotland are facing an uphill task to qualify from their Euros group after an opening round 3-0 defeat to Kazakhstan. An underwhelming 2-0 win over San Marino followed.
The team have a safety net in the form of the Nations League play-offs, however, after winning their group last year.
READ MORE: Scotland job will present Steve Clarke with the tricky task of maintaining the feel-good factor
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive said: "Steve's pedigree as a coach and manager of the highest regard set him apart in a high-calibre group of candidates. This season's achievements simply reaffirm the credentials we believe will be of huge benefit to the Scotland national team.
"I am delighted that we now have the country's deserved manager of the year to lead the Scotland National Team and his experience over the past two decades will be integral to rejuvenating our UEFA EURO 2020 qualifying campaign, which resumes next month.
"It was important that we undertook the recruitment process diligently and respectfully, especially given the importance of the final games of the domestic season for Kilmarnock, Steve and his players.
"I would like to thank the Kilmarnock owner, Billy Bowie, and the club in general for their professionalism throughout the recruitment process."
When Clarke took charge of Kilmarnock in October 2017, the club was at the bottom of the Premiership table. He led them to a fifth-place finish and a record points haul.
The team broke that record this year and finished the season in third.
Bowie said Clarke leave Kilmarnock with a fond farewell from all involved with the club.
“On behalf of the board of directors and everyone connected with Kilmarnock FC, I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to Steve for his passion and dedication to job," he told the club's official website.
"While we're naturally disappointed to lose such a talented manager, I understand the lure of managing Scotland is a powerful one.
"Steve leaves an incredible legacy, delivering our best campaign in over half a century and providing European football for the first time since 2001. His place in this club's illustrious history is assured and he will always be welcomed back to Rugby Park with open arms."
Clarke led West Brom to their highest-ever Premier League finish in his first job as head coach in 2013, having previously worked as an assistant as Newcastle United, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool.
He subsequently led Reading to an FA Cup semi-final during a short-lived spell in charge.
Clarke also won six Scotland caps as a player, making his final appearance against Netherlands in 1994.
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