Tartan Army sit atop Group C but their position remains tenuous
Steve Clarke understands Scotland must improve if they are to progress beyond the group stage of the World Cup despite beginning their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Haiti.
Scotland were weighed down by expectation ahead of their first World Cup appearance since 1998 and Clarke acknowledged that pressure may have contributed to an underwhelming performance against opponents ranked well below them.
With Brazil and Morocco still to come, however, the Scotland manager believes his side can play with greater freedom in their remaining group fixtures.
“Everyone told us it was a must-win game and we won,” Clarke said. “When you win a must-win game, you have to be happy with yourselves. We go into the next games with less pressure than everybody put on to us going into this game.”
Scotland started well and scored early but ended up on the back foot for almost the rest of the game, Haiti perhaps unlucky not to equalise in the second half. But the victory nevertheless puts Scotland in a strong early position after Brazil and Morocco drew in the group’s other fixture.
Clarke admitted his team will need to offer more in possession if they are to become the first Scotland side to reach the knockout phase of a major tournament.
“If we defend as well as we did here, hopefully play a little bit better with the ball and create more, we will be OK,” Clarke said. “It’s not about raising the performance, it is about a different approach against a different opponent.”
Clarke praised the contribution of midfielder Lewis Ferguson, describing him as “exceptional”, and credited his players for finding a way through a difficult contest against a Haiti side that restricted Scotland’s attacking rhythm.
“I thought Haiti were terrific at denying us time and space,” Clarke said. “The other characteristics that get you three points come out. That is why we are sitting here with three points and Haiti are empty-handed.”
The Scotland manager also spoke of the personal significance of reaching the tournament after disappointing campaigns at the previous two Euros.
“Sometimes I put myself under too much pressure,” Clarke said. “When you are in charge of a group like this, you have to appreciate what you have got. They have never let me down. This for me is everything. I have always wanted to go to a World Cup with my country.”
