The Scots face an agonising wait to see if they will play in the last eight after coming from behind to beat the United States 22-8 in their final Group C game at Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium.
The result took the unbeaten Bravehearts to the top of the group but rivals Italy could still supplant them by beating Tonga in their last pool fixture at Halifax on Sunday.
Scotland are therefore relying on a favour from Tonga to set up a potential quarter-final against New Zealand but for Wilkes that would be a bonus.
The 33-year-old, who is joining Leigh from Wakefield next season, said: “It wasn’t expected that Scotland would give such strong performances against the likes of Tonga and Italy – but we have and we are still hanging in there.
“We are relying on another result now but at the end of the day we have done our bit, we have played our part.
“We have done fantastic with two wins and a draw. If we leave the competition now nobody can be disappointed and should keep their heads high.
“The results have gone our way, so it is obviously going to be a bit disappointing if we don’t qualify but really nobody involved in Scotland rugby league should be disappointed with what we have achieved.”
The Scotland squad is now dispersing for a couple of days’ rest before regrouping on Sunday to watch Italy’s clash with Tonga.
With Italy’s points difference the same as Scotland’s, victory by any margin will be enough for the Azzurri.
Wilkes said: “We have got a couple of days’ breather then we are back into camp.
“We’ll sit down and watch the game together and then go from there.
“It is out of our hands. We’ll enjoy it and hopefully it’s a good game. What will be will be.”
Scotland trailed 8-0 at half-time as the US – who were already through to the last eight – threatened to continue their unlikely winning run with tries from Kristian Freed and Taylor Welch.
But marshalled by chief inspiration Danny Brough, the Scots powered back through Brett Phillips, Matty Russell, Luke Douglas and Alex Hurst.
It could have been much better as the Scots crossed the tryline on five other occasions during the match, but they had scores ruled out for a variety of reasons.
In terms of points difference, that might have considerably changed the picture but Wilkes does not think it is worth dwelling on the fact Scotland could go out with an unbeaten record.
Scotland knew only one qualification place was available from Group C.
Wilkes said: “It is frustrating but we knew how the competition was organised before we came into it and it is the same for the other teams in the group.
“Everyone involved with Scotland from the top to the bottom should be proud.
“It’s been well organised and the team manager has done a good job. Everybody involved has mucked in.”
Rugby league might be a minority sport in Scotland but the team’s performances in beating Tonga and the US and drawing with Italy have earned some recognition north of the border.
Wilkes hopes that will help create a strong legacy for the game in the country after the tournament ends.
He said: “You never know. Rugby league is very small in Scotland and it would be fantastic if it could take off up there.
“There is a massive rock to chip away at in rugby union and obviously there is football, but we’ll start small and hopefully over the next few years it will start increasing and they’ll go from there.”
Rugby League - Wilkes: We"ve done ourselves proud
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