Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier 12/10/2025. Group C Andy Robertson 3 - Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park, Glasgow, United Kingdom on 12 October 2025. Editorial use only , Copyright: xRaymondxDaviesx PSI-23024-0049
Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie has admitted he will be hiding from television cameras if his side manage to make history against Morocco in Boston on Friday night.
The Bournemouth man famously broke down in tears during a live TV interview after Scotland qualified for Euro 2020, and he is not keen to repeat that particular moment on camera.
Christie was speaking at Scotland’s tournament base in Charlotte before the squad departed for Massachusetts and their crucial Group C encounter against the African champions.
A single point against Morocco in Foxborough would all but guarantee Scotland a first ever place in the knockout rounds at a major international finals.
When asked how qualifying from the group would compare emotionally to that penalty shootout win in Serbia six years ago, Christie laughed that he had already fielded the question twice before.
“You’re about the third person to ask me that question,” he said, before promising to stay well clear of any waiting camera operators this time around.
“I’ll probably be equally as emotional but this time I will be staying well away from the cameras,” Christie added, acknowledging just how much the occasion would mean.
He was clear that simply being at a World Cup was never going to be enough for this Scotland squad, saying: “It’s a dream come true to even be playing in a World Cup and after that you have to kind of quickly adjust your targets.”
Christie praised the squad’s collective hunger and highlighted the role of the manager in keeping standards high throughout the tournament so far in the United States.
“The manager has also kept the foot to the floor a little bit as well with the whole squad,” he said, stressing that everyone is desperate to push further into the competition.
Scotland currently sit top of Group C following last Saturday’s nervy 1-0 victory over Haiti, a result that placed them above both Morocco and Brazil in the standings.
Christie was quick to stress, however, that one positive result does not mean the job is done and that the squad remains firmly focused on what comes next.
“I think obviously the excitement after the Haiti game has obviously died down,” he said, adding that the squad fully understood the weight of their opening night performance.
“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves and knew how much that game meant to everyone, as well as for us moving forward in the competition,” Christie explained.
Morocco arrive in Foxborough with significant pedigree, having stormed all the way to the semi-finals of the last World Cup in Qatar before being eliminated by France.
Christie acknowledged Morocco’s quality but insisted Scotland must back themselves to replicate that kind of tournament run on the biggest stage in world football.
“I think we’ve got to think like that to be honest, especially after the first result,” he said, urging his teammates to ride the wave of confidence generated by the Haiti win.
“I don’t think there’s a better time to be going into this game with the feeling amongst the boys and in the camp,” Christie added, insisting Scotland are fully ready for the challenge ahead.
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