Scotland manager Steve Clarke has challenged his team to achieve an "iconic moment" by defeating Brazil for the first time in their history. The national team has faced the South American powerhouse ten times since 1966, including four World Cup encounters, without securing a victory.
Clarke is looking for a positive outcome in their final Group C match, recalling the 1982 World Cup encounter where Dave Narey's goal was overshadowed by a 4-1 defeat. "You want the iconic moment like the iconic moments we had at Hampden against Denmark. They're the ones that you want, that you remember, and you can say 'we won and we got what we wanted out the game,'" Clarke stated. "But I wouldn't mind taking the lead, I've got to be honest."
Despite the desire for a win, Scotland could still progress to the round of 32 if they suffer a narrow defeat, as eight of the twelve third-placed teams are guaranteed to advance. Such a scenario would make Clarke the first Scottish manager to qualify for the knockout stage of a major tournament. However, he expressed a preference for advancing through a more definitive result. "I'd much rather go through with the win or the draw than go through the other way, because then you just feel as though it was earned," he added.
Clarke emphasized that the team's aim is to replicate their strong performances from qualifying. "We wanted to get three points against Morocco. Now we have another chance to do it against Brazil and, like I said before, if you're living the dream, what a dream."
He acknowledged the strength of the Brazilian team, currently managed by Carlo Ancelotti, who has a distinguished record in club football. "They are Brazil. They've got good players all over the pitch," Clarke warned. "We know we have to be the best version of ourselves. We have to defend the one v one well. They are tricky, they've got players who can beat you."
The Scotland manager downplayed the significance of facing a renowned coach like Ancelotti, stating his primary focus is on his own players. "What gets me excited is the chance to put our players on the pitch, on this stage, and say 'c'mon guys, let's do it for the country,'" he said. "That gets me going more than who I'm playing against or who I'm pitting my wits against with questions of 'who's the tactical genius' and everything else that goes with it."
Clarke confirmed that defender Aaron Hickey will miss the match due to an unspecified injury, though he is expected to be fit for the subsequent stage if Scotland qualifies.
Regarding potential weather disruptions, Clarke stated that the team has a strategy in place to manage any delays, similar to those experienced in other matches due to severe thunderstorms. "You have to wait 30 minutes after the last lightning strike and that can just roll on and on. If there is to be a delay then hopefully it can be a short one and like I said before we have got a coping strategy and we have an idea what we would do if that happened to us."