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 supporters have vented their frustration at manager Steve Clarke following a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the team’s second World Cup group stage clash.
The loss to the African champions has cast a shadow over what had been a carnival atmosphere for the Tartan Army in the United States.
Just days after Scotland fans were celebrating alongside baseball supporters at Fenway Park, the mood has shifted sharply following a deeply disappointing performance.
Clarke stands accused of squandering a major opportunity through conservative team selection and a reluctance to take the game to an opponent Scotland needed a result against.
Cooper Steven from Kent said: “I honestly have no idea what goes on in Steve Clarke’s head with some of his team choices. The Morocco game could at least have yielded a draw, but why did we start with Kieran Tierney on the left wing when we actually have natural wingers in the squad?”
Steven also questioned the absence of Lawrence Shankland from the starting lineup, adding: “It feels like a great opportunity squandered by bad team choices. It always feels as if we get to crucial games and Steve Clarke goes all timid and plays it too safe.”
Peter Cooperwhite was equally scathing, saying: “Well. Where do you start? The beginning I guess, when he didn’t play Lawrence Shankland or Ben Gannon-Doak.”
Cooperwhite went further, suggesting Shankland’s tournament is now effectively over after Clarke opted to use Lyndon Dykes as a substitute instead of the more clinical striker.
Scott Gowers from Edinburgh directed his anger at the SFA, arguing the governing body had been too hasty in handing Clarke a contract extension before the tournament had proven anything.
Gowers said: “But then he picks the wrong formation and the wrong team. We were caught cold against Morocco by conceding early and failed to record a shot on target having played a striker who had less touches than I have fingers on one hand.”
Rab Picken, calling from London, questioned whether Clarke had taken any lessons from Scotland’s poor showing at the European Championship, labelling him “a calamity of a manager.”
Picken said: “We needed one point but look at the team he starts with. Then with 20 minutes left when we still need a goal, he sends on the headless chicken Dykes and leaves Shankland — a proven scorer — on the bench.”
Jamie Thompson from Glasgow pointed to the speed of Morocco’s opener, with Ismael Saibari finding the net barely 70 seconds into the match as a symbol of deeper structural problems.
Thompson said: “To lose a goal 70 seconds in was embarrassing but this is the same Scotland team that can’t string three passes together without losing the ball. The other teams must love playing us.”
John Scott from Grassmoor quoted international media reaction, citing French outlet La Figaro’s verdict that Scotland were “too limited technically, lacking in talent and unable to change pace.”
Scott added: “I’d argue that individually we have the talent but as a team, something is lacking. Guys like John McGinn and Scott McTominay will be well aware they are capable of so much more. Our coach? Not so much.”
Scott also reflected on a broader cultural issue within the Scotland setup, suggesting a tendency to be satisfied simply with qualification was holding the national side back from fulfilling its genuine potential.
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