Scotland Men's Football Team

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland at Boston Stadium

Captain Andy Robertson says his squad will not "shy away" from the chance to make history by being the first Scotland squad to make it out a group stage at a major tournament.

One point against African champions Morocco would almost certainly do the job after their Group C opening win over Haiti.

"I try to not think about it because we've got such a tough task ahead of us," said Robertson.

"I don't think any of the lads and the coaching staff shy away from us wanting to be the first team to be able to do that for our country.

"We know how difficult that is going to be, were out playing against one of the best teams in the world but we believe we can make any game difficult and if we can do that, put in our best performance, then I believe we can get what we want and hopefully be the ones to achieve history."

Scotland's performance against the Boston Stadium was not barnstorming stuff despite the narrow victory.

And the left-back knows an increased showing will be needed.

"I've always thought every game is a big opportunity," said Robertson.

"I think Saturday was a really good result and got us the three points which we needed and now we are going into the next game looking for the same.

"We know what we want to try and create and what we want to try and do. We know we're going to need more, so we're looking forward to it."

Want to know the latest from Boston?

Join Andy Burke, Jane Lewis and Scott Mullen for our latest Boston Briefing, where they discuss the big talking points before Friday's huge World Cup meeting between Scotland and Morocco.

You can watch it on YouTube HERE, external.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland at Boston Stadium

Image source, PA

Head coach Steve Clarke believes being the underdog can be Scotland's key asset on Friday when they attempt to make history against Morocco in the World Cup.

The Scots sit top of Group C after one game and know a point would all but secure their first-ever safe passage out of a major tournament group stage.

A win over Haiti has built that platform, but the game at Boston Stadium against the African champions is a different prospect.

"Against difficult opponents, we have to be very good," Clarke said.

"Sometimes the Scottish psyche - we're more comfortable when we're the underdogs.

"It's just to focus on what we can do. We don't really speak about what might happen.

"We can only speak about what we can control on the pitch and that's being good in possession and out of possession. If we get those right, we have a chance to get a result."

Clarke predictably remained tight-lipped about which system he is going to deploy against the Moroccans, having moved to a less conventional 4-4-2 against Haiti.

"It's done well for us, but every system we've ever played, lots of work has gone into them," he said.

"It's something we've always tried to expand on - different systems for different games. You'll have to wait and see."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

Image source, Getty Images

Captain Andy Robertson and head coach Steve Clarke were up in front of the media again in Boston as Scotland get ready to face Morocco on Friday.

Here's the best of it...

• Steve Clarke pays tribute to Scotland fan Donnie Strathie, who passed away in Boston.

• Clarke is asked about which system he's likely to deploy but predictably keeps tightlipped.

• Praises Andy Robertson as an inspirational captain who has been with him for many years.

• Clarke also signalled that he believes the Morocco game will be as difficult as the Brazil match in Miami.

• Robertson also heaped praise on the Tartan Army, saying owners of the Boston Red Sox - who also have a stake in Liverpool - contacted him about the atmosphere they brought to Fenway Park on Sunday.

• Finally, Clarke said Scott McTominay is "ready to go again" after being asked about the midfielder's impact against Haiti.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland defender John Souttar has paid tribute to his brother Aaron, who died in 2022 aged 42 after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

Both John and his brother Harry are at the World Cup, with Scotland and Australia, respectively, and both have tattoos to remember their older brother.

"He was an amazing guy," Souttar said.

"He would have loved to be be here, watching his two brothers at the World Cup, being with the Scotland fans watching football. It's hard to put into words how much he would have enjoyed it.

"As much as it's tough knowing he's not here, it makes me think how proud he would have been to see Harry play like that the other night."

Souttar was asked whether Aaron's death changed his relationship with Harry.

"It brought us together," John said. "The disease has got more and more publicity - it's a horrible disease because their mind still works but their body deteriorates. You want to make [Aaron] proud and I'm sure he's watching down watching us proud.

"We both got [tattoos] after he passed, something to remember him by. You glance, see it, and he's always with you in your heart.

"It's important we remember him in a positive way and spread the message about what he went through. The quicker there can be a cure for that disease, the better for everyone."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, Reuters

Former Scotland international is expecting Steve Clarke to revert to a single striker for Friday night's World Cup game against Morocco.

Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams started the 1-0 victory over Haiti in their opening match of the tournament, a result which perched the Scots at the top of the group after one game.

Morocco, who drew with Brazil in their opening game, are up next and Lambert is expecting a departure from the 4-4-2 formation of the Haiti game.

"I think he'll drop one of the strikers to the bench because I think we could get overrun if we don't flood the midfield," he told BBC Scotland.

"So I think he'll go with the same goalkeeper, I think he'll go with the same back four. The only other options I think he might do is Ben Gannon-Doak on the right side. I think they'll stick with Lewis Ferguson and he either might bring in Kenny McLean to solidify the midfield or he might bring in Ryan Christie and keep John McGinn wide left.

"He might push Scott McTominay just behind the striker and make it a three in the middle of the pitch. So he could go 4-2-3-1.

"I just don't think we will be wide open because a point's good enough.

"I think up front, I think he either goes with Lyndon Dykes or Che Adams, one of the two.

"I think he'll bring another midfielder into it just to give us a bit of solidity because I think we were a little bit open against Haiti who weren't the greatest, but the main thing was to get the win."

Image source, Getty Images

Ryan Christie says Scotland are fully focused on making history after their opening World Cup victory against Haiti.

Steve Clarke's side won 1-0 last weekend and top Group C before Friday's match against Morocco, who drew their opening game 1-1 with Brazil.

Christie, who came on as a second-half substitute against Haiti, now wants to be part of the first Scotland outfit to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup.

"To kick on and try our best," the Bournemouth man said when asked about the team's mentality. "We're trying to take it one game at a time.

"We've done the important bit against Haiti and now we've got a chance to make history.

"Prepare as well as we can. The facilities here have been immense. Break down the opponents, see where we can hurt them and cause them problems."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

Image source, Scott Mullen

Scotland fans lit up Fenway Park on Sunday here for a special Scottish celebration night. It was a magical experience.

After an invite from a pal over for the football, I ventured back along as the Red Sox hosted Toronto last night.

The place was still packed out with Scots, doing a fine job of helping the beer sales while chanting about John McGinn being better than Zidane.

Apparently there’s another night at the baseball on the cards in Miami. We’ll all be experts by the time Scotland get to the final.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

Image source, PA Media

Ryan Christie says he is happy to play any role in Scotland's "star-studded midfield" as they prepare to face Morocco.

Steve Clarke's team return to Boston Stadium on Friday (23:00 BST) already atop Group C, knowing a point will all but secure progression out of the section.

That won't be easy though, given the African champions held former world champions Brazil to a draw in their own maiden game.

Christie missed out on a starting spot in Scotland's win over Haiti as Clarke changed shape, and the Bournemouth midfielder admits he's been left guessing about the Morocco masterplan.

"It's tough to know what the manager is going to do as he keeps his cards close to his chest," said Christie.

"I am ready to play whenever he needs me, I've got such faith in the manager and for what he sees in me and where he sees me helping the team best.

"Wherever I play I'll be happy to chip in and playing alongside the boys who are already in there, it's a pretty star-studded midfield, so it makes my job easier."

Talking about the step up in opponent from Haiti, he added: "What we take confidence from is we have come up against teams that are as good as Morocco and that is where we can draw confidence from.

"We are not naive enough to think that we are going to dominate possession and limit them to zero changes but we want to limit those numbers and take the chance when we can, to hurt them."