John McGinn don repay head coach Steve Clarke faith for am by firing Scotland to their first World Cup win in 36 years as them edge pass Haiti for their return to men’s tournament after 28 years absence.
Clarke talk before match say di selection of Aston Villa captain McGinn instead of Ryan Christie na ‘probably di hardest decision I ever make’ and challenge di 31-year-old to prove am right.
E safe to say say sending im country to top of Group C while taking significant step towards reaching knockout stage for first time just do dat – even if dis na nerve-shattering night for Boston Stadium.
So often one of di first names for teamsheet, di reason for di uncertainty na Christie fine performance for last Saturday final friendly against Bolivia, wey also make many Scotland fans hope for hefty scoreline here.
Despite sharp start, dat seldom look likely against Haiti, with Scotland poor for ball and grateful for dia opponents’ profligacy. Countless balls wey swing into di box by di Caribbean side, and keeper Angus Gunn – wey dem choose in front of 43-year-old Craig Gordon, di oldest player for tournament – dem force am to remain on high-alert.
Di memories of past slip-ups against Costa Rica, Iran and Peru hang heavy for air. Despite dat, McGinn get opportunity to ease di Tartan Army growing concerns with 20 minutes remaining, but instead drag im effort wide.
E make for anxious ending – particularly when Frantzdy Pierrot direct header wide – to day wey dem fuel by exhilaration and excitement. Di Scots return to Boston on Friday, 19 June against Morocco to do am all again and know say point for dia next two group games go likely guarantee progress.
Di man dem call Meatball deliver mighty, magnificent moment for im country once more. E far from McGinn finest strike – in fact, e scrappy or im best display, but e deliver when e matter yet again.
Di freedom and flair for show for di first 45 minutes against di Bolivians no make di journey to Boston as dangerous Haiti on di counter, slack Scotland and whistle-happy referee make for rather frustrating Scottish viewing.
Di rare bright spark for otherwise flat return to di biggest stage of dem all na Ben Gannon-Doak. Di Bournemouth winger na pest down di right and celebrate earning goal-kick like e win di tournament.
Scott McTominay smash shot against di post when di game still goalless, but di starting strikers – Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland – dem barely give sniff.
E don be self-described ‘different’ Clarke dis week, and while e go rightly enjoy di result, concerns of di performance must travel with am back to di squad base camp for Charlotte on Sunday. With Morocco and Brazil – wey dem no fit separate earlier for evening – still to come, Scotland go know say dem ought to be much better. Showing like dis against either of dem fit lead to trouble.
