Scotland aim to break World Cup group-stage barrier against Haiti

Scotland arrive at their long-awaited return to the World Cup hoping to escape a wider pattern of failure on football’s biggest stage. From 23 games at the finals the side have won only four, and the tournament’s expansion should help a team that now regards mere qualification as insufficient.

A comfortable win over Haiti would go a long way to sealing progression to the last 32, yet the opening match in Boston carries weight. Haiti’s pace and physicality can cause tartan tremors, and taking on the 83rd-ranked team with history-making on the line remains a testing but appetising prospect.

Steve Clarke has been candid about past tournament shortcomings, even joking “Don’t get humped!” when asked about previous openers, and pointing to the sting of the 5-1 defeat against Germany.

Scotland, Boston

scotland, haiti, world cup, group stage, steve clarke, boston, qualification, last 32, tournament history, 5-1 defeat