Scotland Men's Football Team

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter, in Charlotte, North Carolina

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Jack Hendry says he'll "look forward to" coming up against Neymar should Brazil's superstar forward make his first appearance of this World Cup on Wednesday - and the Scotland centre-half believes his previous experience of playing against him will stand him in good stead.

The Santos 34-year-old, who has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, has not played for the five-time champions at this tournament due to the calf injury, but head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he is fit to play against Scotland in Miami on Wednesday.

And Al-Ettifaq 31-year-old Hendry insists he will be ready for the challenge.

"I'll have no problem," he said. "Obviously he was out in the league I was in. I'm quite comfortable coming up against Neymar. It should there be a really good battle and if he does play then I'll look forward to it.

"Obviously I think he got injured out in Saudi, he did get his ACL, which was unfortunate. I would have loved to have played against him more."

Hendry also faced Neymar while he was playing for Club Brugge in season.

"I played against him twice I think in the Champions League when he was at Paris Saint-Germain, so that was good test," he recalled.

"Obviously the front three at that time were with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. That's not a bad front three, so it was a good experience and l learn a lot from playing against those top-calibre players, so I look forward to it.

"You need to concentrate throughout the game playing against these calibre of players because, the second you switch off, they can punish you.

"Brazil have got an amazing history and we obviously want to disrupt that on Wednesday and I think, if there's a nation to play to get to the next round, we want to do it against these type of teams, so it's going to be a great spectacle."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Charlotte, North Carolina

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Steven Naismith promised Scotland "won't go gung-ho" against Brazil on Wednesday in their final World Cup Group C game.

The Scots conceded after 71 seconds against Morocco on matchday two and, although improved, they struggled to truly test the African champions until a spell of intense pressure in the closing stages.

And, while Scotland's assistant coach admitted the team ought to do more in front of goal, he emphasised the need for "shape and solidity".

"Brazil were 3-0 up before half-time against Haiti, so we won't be going gung-ho from minute one," Naismith said at the squad's base camp in Charlotte.

"The conditions, the opposition, it's impossible to do. There will be moments we need to sit in our shape and wait."

However, the former Scotland forward did say the squad "have the players who can cause Brazil problems" as they look to advance to the knock-out stage of a major championship for the first time.

"I think this squad deserve to be the first squad to get out the group," he added.

"I think we have the players who can do it, the manager who can do it.

"Going into the last game, we'll do what we need to do to get the result, which we came here to get."

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Scott McKenna, Aaron Hickey and Lewis Ferguson did not take part in Scotland's group training on Sunday.

The trio instead did individual work at the Scots' base in Charlotte, North Carolina, as Steve Clarke's men prepare for their final World Cup Group C game against Brazil on Wednesday.

Right-back Hickey came off in the 1-0 win over Haiti and was absent for the 1-0 defeat by Morocco on Friday at the Boston stadium.

Centre-back McKenna has been managing a calf complaint and has yet to feature while midfielder Ferguson played the 90 minutes against the Afcon champions.

Kieran Tierney was taken off against Morocco in the second half with cramp but he trained with the rest of the squad on Sunday morning.

Scotland are guaranteed to finish in third place and a draw against Brazil in Miami would all but guarantee progress to the knockout stages for the first time, while a narrow defeat could also be enough.

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Scotland's strong midfield will be key to competing with Brazil on Wednesday, but the "sweltering afternoon heat" of Miami could mean a similar outcome to their 1982 meeting in Seville, fears South American football expert Tim Vickery.

The Scots took the lead in 44 years ago only to lose 4-1 but need to avoid a repeat if they are to progress to the knock-out stages for the first time.

Vickery expects Al-Ittihad's Fabinho to start alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta instead of Manchester United's Casemiro, who is on a yellow card and in danger of suspension.

"But central midfield is not their best area," he said of the current Brazil side on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "Scotland are quite strong there and can compete.

"Can they do it for the full 90 minutes? Memories of that fine Scottish side in '82 that held Brazil 1-1 at half time but in the second half in the heat of Seville couldn't keep it up.

"I would be more optimistic for Scotland if it was in Boston rather in Miami in the sweltering afternoon heat."

Vickery says head coach Carlo Ancelotti sprung a surprise by selecting Brentford's Igor Thiago up front in their 1-1 group opener with Morocco, but that "meant that no-one was protecting Brazil's left-hand side, where they're not particularly strong defensively".

That changed with the introduction of Manchester United's Matheus Cunha as a substitute and from the start in the 3-0 win over Haiti.

"It would be a surprise to me if they don't repeat that, especially given the threat that at some point that [Scotland's Ben] Gannon-Doak offers to a team that doesn't defend particularly well down that side," Vickery said.

Meanwhile, veteran Santos forward Neymar "is now back in full training and they would like to give him some minutes, but I don't see how he can start as he has gone a month without playing".

The 3-0 win over Haiti "has been a boost to morale", but Vickery warned: "Had they won the first two games, maybe they would ease up against Scotland. That is not the case.

"They are still looking to find a blend and play themselves into the competition, so they will be looking to be on the upward curve."

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Ben Gannon-Doak might have to settle for being an impact substitute again in the final World Cup Group C game against Brazil on Wednesday, suggests former Scotland manager Craig Levein.

There have been calls to start the Bournemouth winger, as the 20-year-old did in the opening with over Haiti, after he made an impact as a substitute in the defeat by Morocco.

"The thing about Gannon-Doak for me is, starting him, I don't think [head coach] Steve [Clarke] is of a mind to start him and I can understand that," Levein told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"We all say as managers, keep it tight early and don't do anything silly and don't lose a goal and, when you do lose a goal like that [after 70 seconds against Morocco], it is a real punch in the stomach.

"To recover from that, not lose another goal, get into the second half and then bring on Gannon-Doak, when the opposition players start to get tired, he becomes even more influential.

"That, at this moment in time, is where he is going to be most useful."

Levein reckons the performance against Morocco "was a big improvement from the first match" against Haiti.

"I was worried about this match, because Morocco are on the up and I would argue they are probably a better side than Brazil at the moment," he said.

"It was a good defensive performance considering the game plan was ripped up after 70 seconds or so.

"I think a 1-0 defeat was a good result and that might prove to the be the case.

"If we can improve on that against Brazil, I think we can get a point out of that, which would be good enough I think to get us through."

Levein reckons "it might be football suicide" to "go gung ho" against Brazil.

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Scotland supporters' visit to Fenway Park was "one of the most moving things" witnessed at the famous baseball ground, says Boston Red Sox president Sam Kennedy.

A large gathering of the Tartan Army attended last week as the Red Sox lost to the Texas Rangers, with the Scotland fans in high spirits after the opening World Cup Group C win against Haiti.

The city of Boston welcomed thousands of travelling supporters for the Scots' opening two fixtures, with Steve Clarke's men finishing their group campaign in Miami against Brazil on Wednesday after losing to Morocco on Friday night.

In a letter to Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney and chief executive Ian Maxwell, Kennedy expressed thanks.

"Kilts and Scottish flags filled our ballpark with a spirit that has no equivalent in American sport," Kennedy wrote. "It was genuinely one of the most moving things we have witnessed at Fenway Park in a very long time.

"Throughout its 114-year history, Fenway Park has seen World Series championships, historic rivalries, and more than a few unforgettable nights.

"And yet on Sunday evening, a ballpark that is typically filled with a baseball crowed became, for a few hours, a meeting point between two sporting cultures. Our fans embraced your supporters without reservation.

"Scotland's return to the World Cup after 28 years deserves every bit of the enthusiasm your supporters brought to Boston. We are proud that Fenway Park could be part of this chapter in your celebration."

Brazil winger Raphinha, 29, is a doubt for Wednesday's World Cup meeting with Scotland. (Sun), external

Former Scotland striker Kenny Miller is poised to become Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach permanently after leading his side to an Israeli Cup final victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva as caretaker after Ronny Deila left. (Glasgow Times), external

Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Boston has so embraced the Tartan Army that Scotland have become "everyone's second team", according to former international winger Neil McCann.

The Kilmarnock manager recited a tale about meeting an American worker at Boston Stadium learning "Flower Of Scotland" to sing along with the national anthem before Friday's match against Morocco.

"I got in pretty early yesterday and I was waiting on the kiosks opening to buy a bottle of juice and there was a guy there, he's got the baseball cap on and the Boston t-shirt and he said 'hey buddy' and he's giving it all that 'you Scots, I love you and you've been so good for our city and we're loving it'," McCann told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"And he unfolds a bit of paper and he said he was here for the last game against Haiti, he heard us sing our national anthem and he went 'I have to go home and learn that because I'm working on the next game'.

"And he had the national anthem written down, the words, in his pocket 'because I'm going out there when it starts and I'm going to sing'.

"It was a wee hairs on your arm moment because you're thinking we've become that good around here that people are making us their new second team."

McCann thinks it shows that "everybody wants us to qualify".

"It just shows you how much we've been embraced over here," he added.

"It's a real camaraderie with everybody it seems like. That's something you see in rugby - I don't think we're ever going to get it in football because we are so passionate about our own teams, the rivalry is so much.

"But that mixing of support where we are just here to support our team and there's no animosity is so special."

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Former Scotland players Neil McCann and Leanne Crichton feel Kieran Tierney was put in an unfair position in the World Cup defeat by Morocco.

Tierney, usually a left-back at Celtic and left centre-back as part of a three for Scotland, was pitched into a left midfield role, seemingly to combat Morocco captain and right-back Achraf Hakimi.

"I don't think the Kieran Tierney experiment worked," 26-times capped McCann told BBC Sportsound.

"I felt at times a wee bit sorry for him. It hindered us. We'd no ability to get out and hurt them.

"The tactical plan by using Tierney to mark Hakimi didn't work at all. I felt that would be the wrong thing to do, that following job because it would disrupt us a wee bit."

And Crichton, who won 72 caps and featured at two major tournament finals, added: "How do you replicate in training chasing one of the opposition about the pitch? I think it's impossible to replicate that. It becomes really unnatural. For Tierney, how has he been able to be prepped to really play against that?"

Tierney made way after an hour, with winger Ben Gannon-Doak introduced. Gannon-Doak played 75 minutes of the opening group win against Haiti.

"Ben Gannon-Doak quite clearly didn't start the game yesterday based on fitness and output," said Rangers women head coach Crichton. "I don't think Steve Clarke thought he had 90 minutes in him. He only had 60 minutes.

"What Ben Gannon-Doak needs to do now over his career is get himself to a level that he can play consistently and that you can always have your best players available for 90-plus minutes because tournament football needs that.

"He made such a difference when he came on."

Kilmarnock manager McCann had Findlay Curtis on loan from Rangers in the second half of last season and said of the Scotland winger, who did not feature against Morocco after a brief substitute appearance in the 1-0 defeat of Haiti: "He always does something in a game.

"He'll get a cross in, he'll get into a dangerous area, he'll put someone on the back foot, he'll get a corner. How many corners did we get last night? It was one."

We asked for your views following Scotland's 1-0 World Cup Group C defeat by Morocco.

Here are some of your replies:

Douglas: Another poor display. When will Steve (passback) Clarke realise to win a game you must score goals?

Steve: The ref had a great game - fell for nothing from either team. Embarrassing to see Clarke claiming Morocco should have been down to 10 men and we should have had a penalty, when neither is true and everyone can see it.

Stuart: Where was VAR? When you see the incidents you think that's a penalty, VAR will kick in. But not for minnows, sad this will probably cost us qualification to the next round.

Daniel: One of the worst performances so far this World Cup in terms of the officials. Che Adams was through on goal and was taken out. He would have had an obvious goalscoring opportunity so it should havwe been a red card. The John McGinn claim was an obvious penalty. I was surprised that VAR was not involved and once again there is talking points about all the decisions going Morocco's way, like in the Afcon final.

Rob: The worst Scotland team in 50 years. Clarke and his coaching crew should have been shown the door years ago. Dykes is a third division flop and most of the squad are well past it. Stop mugging the punters and shove off!

Jim: I think our manager reverted to type and all the old favourites got a game. The ref seemed to be a throwback to the 1970s with most decisions and Morocco seemed content with one goal. We came into it late on but unfortunately didn't have a cutting edge. Now need a big luck of the draw.

Robert: I think Scotland were unlucky with some decisions but for most of the game Morocco were on a different level.

Jayeffell: Let's put on a performance v Brazil but our big-time players have to show up. In interviews Scott McTominay and Andy Robertson look gaunt. Have we overdone it in training? Ben Gannon-Doak not the answer yet. Just a poor man's James Forrest who at least gets crosses in and the odd goal.

Tom: I find it very strange that one referee can choose to allow a 'more robust' game when others don't. How on earth are players supposed to know what is or is not acceptable? Similar incident to the Adams scenario happened in the Scottish Premiership and was given as a penalty. For me this one was more clear cut.

Max: The ref was fantastic, we need more like him. It was a much better watch not having fouls blown for the slightest of touches every two seconds. Scotland can't feel aggrieved given that he was applying the same consistency throughout, they should focus on creating and converting actual chances.

• This was the earliest ever winning goal in a 1-0 win in World Cup history, with Ismael Saibari netting after 70 seconds. The previous earliest was England against Paraguay in 2006 (third minute).

• Scotland have now lost 17 of their past 19 matches in all competitions against nations who are in the top six of the Fifa world rankings when facing them (W1 D1), losing nine of their latest 10 (D1).

• Morocco completed 601 passes, the most by an African team in a World Cup match on record since 1966.

• Scotland conceded inside the opening two minutes of a major tournament game for the first time – the previous earliest goal they'd let in had been in the fourth minute in World Cup games against Paraguay in 1958 and Brazil in 1998.

• Scotland's starting XI contained players with a combined 609 caps for their country, their most ever for a match in their history.

• Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi (18y 260d) became only the fourth African player aged 18 or younger to start multiple matches at a World Cup; the others are Rigobert Song for Cameroon in 1994, Salomon Olembe for Cameroon in 1998 and Bartholomew Ogbeche for Nigeria in 2002.