Former Scotland international Craig Burley has claimed that if Scotland progress to the World Cup knockout stages, it would only 'continue the embarrassment' as they 'don't really deserve' to be there. Speaking on ESPN, the 46-cap former Chelsea midfielder criticised the expanded 48-team World Cup format, which allows 32 teams to advance, arguing it rewards mediocrity.
Scotland's World Cup Campaign
Scotland's World Cup campaign began with a 1-0 win over Haiti, but subsequent defeats to Morocco and Brazil left them with three points. A 3-0 loss to Brazil on Wednesday effectively ended their hopes, although they could still qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams if other results go their way. Burley, however, believes their race should be run.
'I have no problem with Scotland going out because, I'm sorry, I know this is the way the bracket works with the 48 teams but we're just rewarding complete mediocrity here,' Burley said. 'They don't really deserve to go through, if we're being honest, and I don't think they will barring getting lucky.'
Criticism of Expanded Format
Burley added: 'If they do go through I just think it's going to continue the sort of embarrassment of looking at what Scotland are and it's kind of second rate, isn't it? They just don't have the players. They've got a couple. But they just don't have the players of yesteryear. World class players. Guys at the back like [Alan] Hansen and others who couldn't even get a game at times. Who could pass the ball for fun, with anybody. They just don't have that.'
He concluded: 'If they go through, fine. But there should be no celebration if this is the first ever Scotland team to qualify from the group stage, because it's just really by default.'
Steve Nicol Echoes Concerns
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol, who earned 27 caps for Scotland, echoed Burley's sentiments, stating that the World Cup is being 'devalued' by allowing third-placed teams to advance. 'If you take Scotland's name away, just the quality of that group of players shouldn't be going forward in a World Cup,' Nicol said. 'A World Cup is supposed to be the elite. It's the medal that every single player wants to win more than any other, regardless of what country you play in. And it's being devalued when there are certain teams that are going to be going through that just don't deserve to be there.'
Steve Clarke's Reaction
Scotland manager Steve Clarke was asked about the possibility of progressing but dismissed the question and walked out of a BBC interview. 'I can't even think about that. Sorry, I can't even think about it,' Clarke said before leaving abruptly. In another interview, he added: 'It was unbelievable the shift the players put in, the ones who played 90 minutes in that heat and humidity were outstanding, but we have to be better if we want to compete at this level. In the first four or five minutes we passed the ball well and then made a mistake. You cannot do that at this level because it puts you on the back foot and it becomes a long night. For sure I think we're going home.'
