‘They’ve been so good for seven years’ – Clarke says Scotland players deserve long-awaited World Cup win | OneFootball

Steve Clarke says he is delighted for his Scotland players after winning their opening game of the World Cup against Haiti.

John McGinn scored the only goal of the game as Scotland moved top of their group, ahead of Morocco and Brazil after they played out a 1-1 draw.

It was the first time Scotland have won a World Cup game in 36 years, and Clarke says his players, many of whom have played for several years under the Scotland boss, deserve this moment.

“It just tells you how difficult it is for a country like Scotland to go to a World Cup and win games,” Clarke said on ending that winless streak. “It doesn’t happen very often.

“This group of players, I’ve spoken about it many, many times, I think they showed their experience tonight.

“We were disappointed with the two performances and two outcomes in the Euros. This time you go in with the pressure on top of you as well, the pressure that you must win the first game, and they deserve it.

“They’ve been so good for their nation over the last seven years. They deserve to be the team that’s finally got another win on the board in the World Cup so delighted for them.”