Scotland’s World Cup destiny is set to be decided in just over 48 hours' time as a mammoth Group C clash with Brazil gets underway at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, this Wednesday.
Knowing a win - or most likely even a draw - guarantees them a place in the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in history, the pre-game anticipation couldn’t be much higher, both in the United States, and back home in Scotland.
Believe it or not, it has been over 15 years since the sides last faced each other at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium way back in 2011 for an international friendly, with a goal in each half from a 19-year-old Neymar Jr sealing a comfortable 2-0 win for Mano Menezes’s side in North London.
But how many of the starting XI that night are still involved in professional football? Who changed careers, retired or perhaps even moved into the restaurant business? Over 15 years since Scotland’s last clash with the Samba Boys, we look at what happened to the starting XI that faced Brazil back in 2011:
6. DF: Steven Whittaker
After opting to leave Rangers in 2012, he enjoyed a five-year stint with English side Norwich City, he returned to Scotland with former club Hibs, before ending his career at Dunfermline Athletic. Following his retirement from playing in 2021, he transitioned into coaching, taking up roles with Dunfermline, Fleetwood Town, and Ayr United. He most recently became manager of Stirling Albion - his first managerial role. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
7. MD: James McArthur
Famously won the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2013 as part of the squad that shocked Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley. He went on to spent nine highly successful seasons at Crystal Palace, clocking up 253 appearances. Internationally, he earned 32 caps for Scotland before before ending his playing in 2018. He currently now works in the restaurant business, opening Ruby's in East Kilbride in December 2025. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
8. 27/03/11 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY SCOTLAND v BRAZIL (2-0) EMIRATES STADIUM - LONDON James Morrison with Brazil's Ramires (left) and Lucas Leiva (right)
Capped 46 times by the Scotland national team, the Darlington-born midfielder retired in 2019 after a 12-year stint with West Bromwich Albion. He immediately moved into coaching and was promoted to a first-team role by Sam Allardyce during his time at the Hawthorns. He was offered the chance to replace Steven Naismith in Scotland's coaching staff in 2023, where he worked alongside head coach Steve Clarke for just over a year. Having twice led West Brom on a caretaker basis, he was appointed as the club's permanent head coach at the end of last season following a run of just one defeat in the final 11 games of the campaign. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group