Steve Clark lauds “fantastic debrief” ahead of Scotland’s pivotal Brazil clash | OneFootball

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has not let Friday’s defeat to Morocco dampen his sides spirits and belief as they gear up to face Brazil in what could be a huge game should they want to qualify out of this group.

Following a stuttered by relatively assured performance against Haiti in their World Cup opener, Scotland then fell at their next hurdle, conceding within just 70 seconds against Morocco and failing to really lay a glove on their African opponents.

Their opponents made up for a poor first game against Morocco by comfortably beating Haiti in their second, and in truth represent a formidable opponent regardless of the form they find themselves in.

The Scots know they will most likely have to get a result against the five-time winners if they are to have a chance at progressing to the round of 32 for the first time in their history.

But manager Clarke is defiant that his side can still get a result against the giants and has not let Friday’s result get to him or his side.

The 62-year-old said: “We had a fantastic debrief on the Morocco game where I could show them what they can improve on and hopefully we take that into this game.

“I was actually pleased how we responded to a really poor start. I think people forget how games change on a goal.”

Clarke’s side did do a good job at containing what is a brilliant Moroccan side and they will need every ounce of their defensive capabilities if they are to contain a Brazil side with the likes of Vinícius Júnior and Matehus Cunha.

But heading into a match eyeing up a 0-0 usually doesn’t work and Scotland will certainly need to improve the offensive side of their game.

Clarke made it clear that is under scrutiny in the Scotland camp after failing to improve their goal difference against Haiti.

“We were good from back to middle and from middle to final third. But we were not so good after that because we didn’t really create any clear chances,” he said.

“That’s been something we’ve been working on. Especially for games against the top ten teams. It’s an area, if I’m honest, where I’ve been looking for solutions for quite a long time.”

Scotland’s cautious approach has garnered its criticisms however, especially Clarke’s decision to bench winger Ben Gannon-Doak against Morocco – Doak impressed against Haiti and was probably Scotland’s most dangerous player.

But Clarke is paying no mind to outside voices as his squad vigorously prepare for their crunch match at their base in Charlottesville, NC.

He said: “Social media? What’s that? I don’t look at that, I really don’t look at it. If I look at that then I could be affected a little bit – and I value my mental health! It’s important I stay reasonably sane.

“What I would say, though, is that since coming to this camp we’ve concentrated more on attacking play then defensive play.

“We’ve tried to work on that and I think you could see the fruits of it when we played Bolivia before the tournament began.”

Clarkes belief and defiance in his tactics and play-style is what has gotten him so much success with the national team and he looks to make further in-roads by qualifying for the knockout rounds for the first time in Scotland’s history and finally getting over their group stage hoodoo.

Scotland’s pivotal meeting with Brazil kicks off at 23:00 (BST) in Miami, with both history and Clarke’s blushes on the line.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.