Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier 12/10/2025. Group C Andy Robertson of Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Scotland vs Belarus, The National Stadium, Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, 12/10/2025. Hampden Park The National Stadium Glasgow Scotland Editorial use only , Copyright: xColinxPoultneyx PSI-23023-0087
Scotland defender Grant Hanley is not known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, but Saturday night in Boston tested even the toughest characters in Steve Clarke’s squad.
The rugged centre-back emerged from the away dressing room at Boston Stadium visibly moved after Scotland’s 1-0 victory over Haiti, needing a moment to gather himself before speaking to the media.
Scotland had just won a World Cup match for the first time in 36 years, with John McGinn’s solitary goal enough to send Clarke’s side to the top of Group C.
A crowd of 30,000 Tartan Army supporters created an atmosphere that underlined the magnitude of the occasion for a nation that has waited decades for this kind of moment.
The 34-year-old Hanley played a central role in keeping a clean sheet against the Caribbean side, including a phenomenal first-half block that denied Haiti from close range after goalkeeper Angus Gunn had spilled a shot.
Adding to the emotion of the night, Hanley was reunited with his children at full-time, embracing son Albie and daughter Lottie on the pitch before carrying out his media commitments.
He said: “It’s hard to say how I feel because it’s raw and I’ve just been with my weans, so I need to think about what I’m going to say.”
Hanley acknowledged that being separated from his family during tournaments makes those reunion moments carry extra weight, saying: “When you’ve got young kids, it’s really special to have them there, especially after a positive result.”
Scotland were widely expected to beat Haiti comfortably heading into the fixture, but anyone with a close eye on the Caribbeans knew the match would be far from straightforward.
McGinn’s first-half goal gave the Scots the lead, but they were unable to find a second and were forced to defend resolutely in the closing stages to protect the three points.
Hanley admitted the pressure of being favourites affected the performance, saying: “Sometimes, winning boils down to a performance that isn’t really free and isn’t as flowing as you’d like it to be.”
He reflected honestly on how the game unfolded, adding: “I actually thought we were good until we scored. Then we came off it a wee bit. Maybe subconsciously we tried to protect it a wee bit.”
Beyond his defensive contribution, Hanley also had a direct hand in the winning goal, playing a long raking ball to striker Che Adams that started the move McGinn ultimately finished.
He explained: “We knew Haiti had got their press right, so we thought we’d go a bit longer, stretch it a bit and maybe make a bit more space for ourselves in the middle of the pitch.”
Scotland’s winning goal was their first at a World Cup since Craig Burley scored against Norway at France 98, a fact that adds further historical weight to McGinn’s effort in Boston.
Scotland return to the same venue on Friday for their Group C encounter with Morocco, and Hanley accepts that Clarke’s side will need to produce a significantly improved performance.
He said: “What’s for certain is that the challenges coming up will be totally different to what we faced against Haiti. And there’s no doubt we’ll be ready for that.”
The Hibs man was candid about how surreal the experience remains, saying: “In November when we qualified this felt a million miles away but it sneaks up on you quickly. You go through the pre-camp and then it’s here. It STILL feels surreal now but this is what you dream of.”
Despite the modest nature of the performance, Hanley was resolute about what truly mattered from the night, saying: “All I know is that we had a must win game and we won it. That’s the main thing.”
About the Author
