Scotland are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, and Steve Clarke has been clear about what he wants from the opening game against Haiti on Sunday at 2am UK time. He says it is not enough to simply be there. Clarke wants Scotland to do something special, after the sting of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, and he is treating the opener as the first chance to show this group has learned.

Clarke is pushing for a clean start

The bluntest line came when Clarke summed up the lesson from Germany: "Don't get humped." It was a very direct reminder of how much damage a bad first match can do at a major tournament, and he also admitted he did not enjoy the last two tournaments. Scotland's campaign does not ease in gently either, with Morocco five days after Haiti and Brazil waiting in the final group game.

That makes the start against Haiti feel more important than a standard opener. Clarke is the first Scotland coach to lead the nation to three tournaments, and this one carries the weight of a 28-year wait. If Scotland are to build any momentum in Group C, they need the first performance to be solid rather than careful.

McTominay is fit, but Clarke wants the squad to carry the load

There was also a useful boost for Scotland with Scott McTominay. He missed Thursday training with a stomach bug before returning to the pitch, and Clarke was blunt about his condition: "He's perfect." But Clarke was just as firm in resisting the idea that one player can carry the whole thing.

"I think I've got 26 superstars here," he said, while adding, "It's not fair to put too much pressure on the shoulders of just one person. We have built everything over the last seven years as a squad."

That is the right stance. McTominay matters, especially with his recent Napoli form offering Scotland a bit of confidence, but the tournament cannot be built around him alone. Clarke has said as much, and the opener against Haiti will be a better test of Scotland's collective level than of any single name on the team sheet.

There is also a small concern at the back, because Scott McKenna will miss the opener with a minor calf injury. That is enough to make the selection picture slightly more awkward, even before the first ball is kicked.

For Scotland, the job is simple enough to describe and hard enough to do. Start well, avoid the kind of opening that drags the whole group into trouble, and give Haiti vs Scotland a competitive edge from the first whistle. If they manage that, the rest of the group stage becomes a lot more manageable.

FAQ

Why is Steve Clarke asking Scotland to do something special at the World Cup?

Clarke wants Scotland to open strongly against Haiti and avoid another damaging first-game setback. He said, "It's great to be here, but we also want to do something special," and also pointed back to the last two tournaments, which he said he did not enjoy. Scotland have not played at a World Cup for 28 years.

Is Scott McTominay fit for Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti?

Yes. Clarke said McTominay is "perfect" after missing Thursday training with a stomach bug before returning to the pitch. Clarke also stressed that Scotland will need a squad effort, not just one player, for the opener.

How long has Scotland waited to return to the World Cup?

Scotland are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, a gap of 28 years. Clarke is the first Scotland coach to lead the nation to three tournaments, and the opener against Haiti is set for Sunday at 2am UK time.

Why do some people think Scotland's World Cup opener matters so much?

The opener matters because Scotland's next two Group C games come quickly after it, against Morocco and Brazil. A poor start against Haiti would make the rest of the group stage much harder, so Clarke is pushing for a strong first performance.

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