Ryan Christie came to tears while reacting to Scotland qualifying for the team's first European Championship finals since 1996, insisting it was a "monkey off the back."
The emotional interview followed a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Serbia in a playoff in Belgrade.
Christie had scored the opener for the visitors to put them on their way, but it was stunningly cancelled out late on by Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic.
Scotland would go on to win an excellent penalty shoot-out 5-4, as goalkeeper David Marshall saved the final spot-kick taken by Aleksandar Mitrovic.
"I hope everyone back home is having a party tonight. We've been through it so many years. We know it, you know it, everyone knows it and it's a monkey off the back now. We're going to move on from here," a teary-eyed Christie told Sky Sports.
"It's just for everything. I'm gone... for the whole nation, it's been a horrible year for everyone and we knew we could give a little something to this country.
"It's an amazing night."
Christie, who was substituted in the 87th minute, said the team showed great character to book a place in the 24-nation tournament where they will face England, Czech Republic and Croatia in Group D next year.
"... The way the game went tonight, conceding that late equaliser, we dug in and then penalties away from home and big Marsh comes up. Amazing, unbelievable," he added.
"When you're on the pitch and you feel you can impact it, but the moment you're off you can't watch it. It's horrible, those penalties are probably the worst thing I've ever been through."
