Scotland cult-hero backs Steve Clarke for major World Cup shock as he recalls 'biggest regret of my career'
Scotland have been backed to make an impact at the World Cup this summer.
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been backed to take the national team deep into the latter stages of the World Cup this summer.
Drawn in Group C alongside Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, the 62-year-old boss is aiming to lead the nation into the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in their history after ending their 28-year exile from the competition.
With their tournament opener against Haiti in Foxborough now just 58 days away, former Scotland cult-hero Christian Dailly has backed the team to go even further than the last 32 of the competition, and believes they can spring a surprise across the pond.
“In 1998 we played Brazil and Morocco, so it seems mad that once again Scotland are in a group with those two teams,” said Dailly. “Four, or even three points might be enough to get out of the group stage, and I do think this side is capable of getting those points, we have to look at the Morocco and Haiti matches as the games where we pick up the points.
“Scotland has always produced world class players, and this squad is no exception. Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Andy Robertson, these are guys playing at a high level, and this is their chance to show it on the biggest stage of all. If we could get onto a roll, who knows how far we can go. If we can get into the knock-out stages, honestly, there are only a few sides we need to genuinely fear, plenty of teams in the last 32 would not fancy playing Scotland.
The former Rangers and Dundee United defender won 67 international caps during his 22-year career, and was part of the last Scotland squad that made it to the 1998 World Cup finals in France. Starting all three of Scotland's group matches against Brazil, Norway and Morocco, the 52-year-old hopes the teams' return to the finals will see them qualify on a more regular basis in the years ahead.
“Playing for my country in the World Cup in 1998 was without doubt the greatest achievement of my career,” said Dailly whilst speaking to Coral. “I know those players representing Scotland in this summer’s tournament are going to experience something they will never forget. Having had the experience of 1998, it was then the biggest regret of my career that I never got the opportunity to play at another World Cup, but back then I would never have thought it would be 28 years before Scotland qualified for another World Cup. That shows just how difficult it is to make it to the finals, as Italy have found out again this year."
"It's a great time for Scottish football all round, with the Scottish Premiership title race the most exciting for years, and that, along with Scotland playing at the World Cup, will hopefully give everyone involved in the sport here a boost, and something to build on, as no one wants to wait another 28 years for it to happen.”
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