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In the early stages, Scotland looked to be opting for something different. That is, heading to a major tournament while completely unburdened by expectation. Little Curaçao were embarrassing Steve Clarke and his team. Scottish Football Association big wigs, who handed Clarke a four-year deal in recent days, were shuffling uncomfortably in the plush seats. Excitement was surely raising in Haiti, Scotland’s first World Cup opponents.That Scotland played against 10 men for more than a half must be factored in to analysis of their recovery. Nonetheless, the response was stirring enough to raise optimism among a supporter base who will shortly grace a World Cup for the first time in 28 years. The Tartan Army remained in place to afford Scotland a rousing send-off for the United States. Victory had ultimately proved as comfortable as should have been the case.Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney, Lewis Ferguson and Ché Adams were notable absentees having only joined up with the squad on Friday. The manager hinted at things to come, especially against Haiti, with the deployment of two strikers. George Hirst joined Lawrence Shankland in attack. The 43-year-old Craig Gordon started ahead of Angus Gunn in goal. Gordon’s international career had appeared over in 2024 as he missed out on the European Championship.There was method in this choice of game for Scotland beyond the expectation (but only that) of victory before a flight to the United States. Curaçao and Haiti are one place apart in the world rankings.The start to the game had been as timid as one could expect from a May friendly until Tahith Chong sent the lively band of Curacao supporters into raptures. Andy Robertson had flashed a ninth-minute drive wide but Scotland were otherwise impotent. Chong punished that, stunning Hampden in the process.The Sheffield United midfielder collected the ball on the halfway line with a majestic first touch which bamboozled Scott McKenna. Next, Chong strode away from McKenna’s central defensive partner John Souttar. In scoring what should rank among the most memorable goals ever scored at this famous old venue, Chong wrong-footed Gordon when inside the penalty area and slammed home. It would be an exaggeration to suggest Curaçao deserved their lead yet Scotland’s ragged approach so close to a major tournament was worthy of punishment. Hirst sought to raise the mood with a header that Eloy Room scrambled away. The natives were restless; audible booing met the first drinks break of the afternoon.Controversy arrived before the break. Jürgen Locadia crazily planted an elbow into the face of Aaron Hickey after the Brentford full-back had cleared the ball. After being urged to take a second look by the video assistant referee, Goga Kikacheishvili correctly issued a red card. Whether Clarke would have chosen to play against 10 men in this context is open to debate.What is undeniable is Scotland did not want what happened next. Billy Gilmour collapsed in a heap after injuring his right knee when playing a routine pass. Gilmour’s demeanour as he left the field inferred his World Cup dream must be in doubt. Ominously, he did not join his team-mates for their post-game lap of honour.This had proved about as grim an opening half as Clarke could have imagined until Findlay Curtis, who replaced Gilmour, drew the hosts level. Curtis swivelled and shot having collected Kenny McLean’s deflected pass.A raft of half-time substitutions included an international debut for Tyler Fletcher, son of former Scotland captain Darren. The midfielder had not been named in the squad, instead one of a number of young players brought in to boost training numbers, with Clarke’s decision to introduce him here therefore intriguing. Fletcher is known to have impressed during sessions in the lead-up to Curaçao.A smart corner routine nudged Scotland in front. Ryan Christie’s eventual cross to the front post was met by Shankland. The 30-year-old notched his fifth Scotland goal with a first-time finish, which Room should have dealt with. Shankland may be lightly raced on the international front but remains Scotland’s most lethal finisher.Shankland was to prove that with just under half an hour to play. This time, the striker – who will join Rangers when the transfer window opens – strode onto a Lyndon Dykes’ lay off and fired beyond Room. Curaçao’s race was run.Shankland was denied the opportunity to complete a hat-trick from the penalty spot, having already been replaced by the time Juriën Gaari wiped out the lively Curtis. Ryan Christie assumed penalty duties, the Bournemouth man sending Room the wrong way. Next stop, the grandest stage of all.

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⚽ Latest updates from 1pm (BST) kick-off at Hampden Park⚽ Scotland: World Cup 2026 team guide | Mail ScottCuraçao have never beaten a European team. On the other hand, Scotland have failed to win any of their last six matches against nations from Concacaf, a dismal run that stretches back to a 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in 2004. So in that respect, this one’s firmly in the balance. Here, while we’re on the subject, Scotland were the recipient of mucho pelters when they lost to Costa Rica at Italia 90, but let’s be fair, Juan Cayasso’s winner is one of the great under-appreciated goals in World Cup history. What a move! Hey, it’s been 36 years, we can smile about it now.This match is being billed by the wise and highly respected mandarins of the SFA as “The Big Send-Off”. We’ve been here before, of course. Though if a Big Send-Off is once again a precursor to, and karmic guarantee of, a performance like this … Continue reading...

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Manager recalls Rangers tenure fondly before friendlySteve Clarke: Scotland should be qualifing regularlyA smile flashed across the face of Dick Advocaat as he was reminded that, 27 years earlier to the day, he had watched his Rangers team complete a domestic treble at Hampden Park. “I was quite successful in this stadium, so you have to be careful tomorrow,” Advocaat said. Little could anyone have known in 1999 that in 2026 Advocaat would be bringing his World Cup-bound Curaçao to Glasgow for a friendly.During 11 minutes on Friday, Advocaat completed a verbal whistle-stop tour of everything from Martin O’Neill’s return to Celtic to his World Cup ambitions. At 78, it is remarkable to see Advocaat in this scenario. Reflections on the past in this city were inevitable. He will become the oldest coach in World Cup history when Curaçao face Germany on 14 June.“I don’t care because I don’t feel that age,” said the Dutchman with typical bluntness. “I have definitely changed a lot. There are things that normally under me would not be possible that are possible. That has to do with the squad – they are paid amateurs and you can see it. You have to change sometimes. At the highest level you cannot change; you have to be sharp and clear so that everybody knows what they have to do. But we did what we had to do to become members of this World Cup.”Curacao, ranked 82nd in the world, will feature in North America as Italy look on from afar. “We are not the favourites, we know this when we start,” Advocaat said. “But people who aren’t favourites can surprise. Today, you can even go on [to the next round] with two or three points.”This marks another kind of return for Advocaat. He was in charge as Curaçao sealed their World Cup berth but resigned in February owing to a family health matter he is unwilling to discuss. Advocaat was reappointed this month.“I was the coach who qualified with the team,” Advocaat said. “Something happened at home, which was the reason that I stopped. I could come back and start again. That gives me a good feeling, to be a part of this tournament will be something special.“I didn’t expect to be playing against Scotland with Curaçao so that is a surprise. The goal was to qualify for the Gold Cup a year ago and we did it. From that moment on, they started believing even more. It is a very hard-working team. Besides the game they enjoy their life; they are laughing, the music is there and maybe more, but at the games, they do what they do.“You must have a little bit of luck that people still want you at this age. If they don’t ask any more, you are finished. I still get the phone calls, which makes it difficult to refuse. I have already said so many times I will quit. Then someone calls me. I think: ‘So they are still interested …’ And then I go. Normally, [after the World Cup] I will stop.”Last December, Advocaat pursued Steve Clarke vigorously at the World Cup draw when seeking this game. “I remember when I was the manager of Holland and we had a game like this against Ireland, before we went to wherever,” Advocaat said, in apparent reference to a 1-0 defeat immediately before Euro 2004. “We lost. These kind of things can happen. If you are realistic, Scotland has the better players but you can have surprises.”As Advocaat winds down, Clarke has other thoughts. This week the Scotland manager signed a contract that will extend his tenure until the 2030 World Cup. Upcoming participation in the 2026 version seems to have stoked Clarke’s desire. “We should be qualifying regularly for tournaments,” he said. “That is not to say we won’t miss one now and again. A country of our size, there is the difficulty now with qualifying for tournaments. But to make sure we don’t have long gaps between tournaments. If we miss one, OK, but make sure we are at the next one.”Clarke had returned to Scotland’s team base as Advocaat reappeared at the scene of former triumphs. “I remember [former Rangers chair] David Murray, with the president of Celtic, tried to be involved in the English league,” Advocaat said. “Not to start at the top but in the fourth division. They [the English clubs] were scared to do that so they refused. I still think that was a great idea. It will never happen. Celtic and Rangers are so big it is unbelievable – not everybody realises that.” Nowadays, Advocaat spreads the gospel of a tiny Caribbean nation.