What Scotland may regret about its long-awaited World Cup victory over Haiti
Scotland have achieved a long-awaited World Cup victory over Haiti, but concerns are looming over their ability to get through a difficult group.
Steve Clarke may see himself as a sad football realist, but for a moment the Scotland manager seemed like a romantic. "I've been waiting 62 years to be at a World Cup," he said. "I have worked in football for 44 years." No matter how it is defined, it is a long journey. Scotland has experienced a similar wait. Clarke became the only coach to lead them to three major tournaments. Now, he is also the person with the most victories at the World Cup, even though it has only been once. "It's difficult for a country like Scotland to go to the World Cup and win," Clarke said. "This doesn't happen very often." The last time Scotland did this was in 1990, when only veteran reserve goalkeeper Craig Gordon from Clarke's squad was still alive. The historic achievement celebrated Scotland's victory over Haiti. However, it can now be viewed in many different ways. Scotland have a habit of finishing third in World Cup groups; it's now possible whichever team has three points to go through. But the pessimism ingrained in the Scottish psyche suggests that, if anyone leaves the game with three points, it will be them. Nevertheless, in 1974, they exited the tournament without losing a single match. In 1978, they returned despite defeating finalists the Netherlands. However, if three points are not enough, everything will depend on goal difference. The disappointment from the win over Haiti was that Scotland barely improved their tally, but they could be badly hurt against Morocco and Brazil. Two close defeats may be enough, but their opponents have the capacity to do more damage. "The next two matches are against teams in the top 10 in the world," Clarke emphasized. He argued that, with points in hand, Scotland had taken the pressure off themselves. But they have to perform better. "We certainly won't be satisfied looking back and we'll have to improve for the next two games," said Angus Gunn, the first Scotland goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at the World Cup since David Harvey in 1974. Gunn doesn't need to excel as his team-mates have shown the resilience and qualities that Clarke has praised. However, Gunn's conclusion is correct: Scotland will have to play better. As well as needing adjustment. Scotland were without Billy Gilmour due to injury in the match against Haiti and the assurance he provided in possession. Lewis Ferguson was "excellent", as described by Clarke, but Scotland lacked the necessary control. Partly because of the 4-4-2 tactical scheme that Clarke chose to aim for a bigger victory. Maybe he will have to give it up, and not least because Scott McTominay, Scotland's biggest threat in the second half under Clarke, has been dragged deeper; McTominay has become a revelation when playing as an attacking midfielder. This brought him back to his days as a defensive midfielder for Manchester United. Lawrence Shankland, despite scoring in matches against Curacao and Bolivia as well as in Hearts' quest for the title, may have to be sacrificed for the sake of pragmatism. There may be questions about whether Clarke should add a third centre-back – perhaps Kieran Tierney – or another central midfielder, like Ryan Christie. There could be different answers for each match: strengthen the midfield to cope with Morocco's strength, or strengthen the defense to face the challenge from Vinicius Jr and Raphinha? Scotland has had traumatic experiences with both; Again, losing 3-0 to Morocco like in 1998 would hurt their goal difference and put pressure on them to get a point against Brazil. In fact, they did it in 1974, their previous clean sheet coming against a team with Roberto Rivelino and Jairzinho. But in 1982, Scotland lost 4-1 to Brazil, exiting the game on goal difference for the third consecutive World Cup. Now a 4-1 defeat could leave them needing a fourth point. Assumptions and past failures can tarnish a wonderful occasion. Clarke isn't the only one thinking about what it took to get there. "That's why you work all your life," Shankland said. "It's been fantastic," said captain Andy Robertson. "Everyone achieved their dreams today." It's not exactly news that Robertson was dropped by Celtic for being too small and working at Marks and Spencer. Now, like Billy Bremner, Bruce Rioch, Danny McGrain and Roy Aitken, he has led his country to a World Cup victory. John McGinn scored the winning goal. "We've been through a lot of pain as a nation. A generation of fans have never seen this. But the pride on my face this morning seeing all the kids going to the park in Scottish kit and face paint." It was a generational victory, although it came with a sense of regret that Scotland may regret it wasn't bigger.
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