Scotland target breakthrough on World Cup return

ISLAMABAD: Scotland are back at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, with Steve Clarke's side aiming to do more than simply take part as they try to end a long run of exits before the knockout rounds.

In 12 previous appearances at major tournaments, Scotland have never progressed beyond the group stage. The expanded 48-team format at this World Cup has, however, created a possible route through despite a challenging Group C that also includes African champions Morocco and five-time world champions Brazil. Their opening match against Haiti in Boston is being viewed as crucial by the large travelling support expected to cross the Atlantic.

Scotland could still remain in contention even if they lose their final two group games, provided they record a convincing result against Haiti, because eight of the 12 third-placed teams will advance to the round of 32. For a seasoned group featuring Liverpool captain Andy Robertson, Aston Villa skipper John McGinn and Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, the tournament may represent a rare opportunity to leave a mark on the global stage.

That core group has helped Scotland qualify for three major tournaments in the last five years after the national team had gone 23 years without reaching one. But appearances at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 ended in disappointment, with Scotland failing to win a match at either event.

When naming his squad, Clarke said the team must draw on that experience to try to achieve something no Scotland side has managed before.

We've been to two major tournaments This will be our third and hopefully the experience of the boys that have been to major tournaments before will come to the fore and we'll do something that no Scottish team has ever done before

Experienced core and limited options

McTominay's overhead kick in the 4-2 win over Denmark that sealed qualification has already become a celebrated moment in Scotland, even appearing on a special edition Scottish banknote. He and McGinn are expected to carry much of the scoring burden in a squad that lacks established international strikers.

Clarke also has limited choices in goal. Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, now 43, is among those in contention to start despite having played only sparingly for Hearts this season.

Former Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh told AFP that the side's experienced players would be central to any chance of progress.

This core of very experienced players are crucial

Roxburgh said Scotland would face a difficult task, but added that if they could reproduce the level they showed against Denmark in the decisive qualifier, they would have a genuine chance of advancing.

I know it will be difficult, but if they could replicate the way they played against Denmark in the final qualification, they will certainly have a good chance.

We can be optimistic here that they can achieve, for the first time, qualification to the knockout phase.

Youth factor in an ageing squad

Time may be running short for a squad with only five players under the age of 26. One of those younger options, Bournemouth's 20-year-old Ben Gannon-Doak, is expected to play an important role by providing pace and creativity in attack.

Robertson said the current generation understands the significance of leading Scotland back to the World Cup, especially for supporters who have little memory of the country's previous appearances.

My whole generation doesn't really remember it and now we get to lead our country to a World Cup. It'll be one of the proudest things I've ever done in my career

The Liverpool defender, who has won both the Premier League and Champions League, said World Cup qualification represented a step beyond Scotland's recent appearances at the European Championship.

We've been very fortunate to qualify for two Euros, but the World Cup is a step up from that.

Scotland's supporters now hope the team can match the scale of the occasion and finally produce a campaign that extends beyond the opening phase.