Scotland's World Cup destiny bid could face delays as weather fears grow in Miami
Clarke says coaching staff are prepared for all eventualities
Scotland have a strategy for their World Cup match against Brazil in Miami should it be delayed after it emerged that inclement weather is set to hit southern Florida.
Forecasts for the area around the Miami Stadium predict an electrical storm at 7pm local time on Wednesday - which would coincide with half time for Scotland’s final Group C match against Brazil.
If there is the threat of lightning within an eight-mile radius of the stadium then there will be at least a half-hour delay - and potentially more, depending when conditions improve.
France’s match against Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia was delayed for more than an hour due to stormy conditions and head coach Steve Clarke, who is bidding to lead Scotland into the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in the nation’s history, is preparing for all eventualities.
Speaking at the Miami Stadium after a thunderstorm had soaked the ground and its environs, Clarke revealed he has “a strategy in mind” with how to deal with possible weather disruptions on Wednesday night.
He said: “Obviously, you don’t know how long the delay is going to be. They’re always doing it off the last lightning strike. You’ve got to wait 30 minutes off the last lightning strike, so that can just roll on and roll on.
“If there is to be a delay, then hopefully it will be a short one. Like I said before, we’ve got a coping strategy and we have an idea of what we’ll do if it happens to us.”
Scotland will qualify for the last 32 if they defeat Brazil - who they have never beaten before - in their final group match.
The Scots are already secured third place and while a draw would almost certainly allow them to progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams, a defeat could leave them vulnerable.
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