Scotland have chip on shoulder in search of history
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- Ryan Christie was the last Scottish player to touch the ball at Euro 2024, being dispossessed as referee Facundo Tello blew the whistle before a throw‑in against Hungary.
- Scotland exited Euro 2024 after a 1‑0 loss to Hungary, the decisive goal arriving in the 100th minute.
- Christie said the squad now carries a “chip on their shoulder” and aims to become the first Scottish side to advance past the World Cup group stage.
- Scotland will open their World Cup campaign against Haiti three days later, with the team expressing “brazen optimism” on the BBC.
- Christie recalled a 5‑1 defeat to Germany at Euro 2022 as a humbling experience that still haunts him, influencing the team’s preparation.
- Steve Clarke has “completely changed the set‑up” of the national side, granting players freedom such as day‑off or golf and building trust over a five‑to‑seven‑year period.
- Clarke is praised by Christie as potentially one of the greatest Scottish managers, after a rare smile following the Denmark game.
Why it matters: Scotland’s renewed mindset and Clarke’s revamped set‑up give the national team a fresh psychological edge, while the squad’s “chip on the shoulder” drive and the coach’s trust‑building approach aim to break a 28‑year World Cup group‑stage drought, reshaping expectations for Scottish football.
