Assistant head coach John Carver believes failing to become the first Scotland side to reach a group stage has to motivate the team.
“We all took criticism,” he said. “There was a huge amount of disappointment.
“We had a chance to create history and we didn’t. That’s got to be a drive and the motivation to go again.
“It’s a new start today because there’s a new competition starting. Our aim is to survive in the group, that’s what we have to do. Yeah, you want to win or come second. Our priority will be – can we stay in the group?”
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Gauld was included in Clarke’s squad for the opening double header along with Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston and Liverpool winger Ben Doak.
“We’ve got the preparation for the World Cup because the preparation for me now starts, which is why there’ll be a few fresh faces in there, which is important,” Carver explained.
“We’ve looked at every part of the world, part of the globe to see which players could come in to take us forward.
“Scotland were in the doldrums 23 years ago and now we’re we’ve qualified for two back-to-back Euros, we’ve qualified and got into the Nations League Group A.
“There’s still a huge gap to close. We’ll try as long as we can to keep improving that and make progress.”