World Cup does not add up for teams waiting to learn their fate

FIRST things first, the World Cup would miss the Tartan Army if they have to come home, but the loss of the Scotland team and Steve Clarke would not be greatly lamented.

- ANDY DUNN

Handing Clarke that new four-year contract ahead of this tournament was not the Scottish Football Association's finest hour, to put it mildly.

If you wish, you can use the pain of defeat to excuse Clarke for his rude demeanour and remarks in his post-match interviews, but there is no excusing him for the pretty dismal football his team has produced.

It was the same at Euro 2024, don't forget.

But Scotland might still make the round of 32 as one of the eighth-best third-placed finishers.

It will be mildly farcical if they do, of course. They scored a single goal in their Group C campaign, and that was against Haiti. But they would take it.

After their 3-0 defeat to Brazil and subsequent results on Wednesday, the earliest Scotland would know their fate is today and the latest tomorrow (local time).