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 striker Lawrence Shankland says he is desperate to get on the scoresheet against Brazil as his childhood World Cup memories come alive.
The 30-year-old was left out of Steve Clarke’s starting lineup for Scotland’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco on Friday night in Group C.
Shankland had started the opening group win over Haiti but found himself starved of service throughout that contest.
Now the new Rangers frontman is pushing hard to return to Clarke’s team for the high-stakes clash with Brazil in Miami on Wednesday.
Scotland have struggled to manufacture clear-cut opportunities at the tournament so far, with their chance creation drawing significant criticism.
Shankland, considered Scotland’s most natural finisher, believes he can deliver if given the opportunity against Carlo Ancelotti’s celebrated Brazilian side.
He said: “I’m craving more than one chance, to be honest. Hopefully, we’ll have a few on Wednesday.”
The striker acknowledged the frustration around Scotland’s inability to convert promising positions into genuine goal-scoring opportunities during the tournament.
He said: “It’s been frustrating. Obviously, you’d like to create more. But in the Morocco game we did have a lot of moments. We just never quite managed to get on the end of them.”
Shankland remained upbeat about Scotland’s ability to produce quality football when it matters most, insisting the squad retains belief in their collective ability.
He said: “We are getting into good areas and believe we have the ability to produce the quality we need.”
The Rangers striker spoke candidly about his individual situation, acknowledging Clarke has a strong pool of players competing for places ahead of such a significant fixture.
He said: “The manager has a large group of players to pick from so all you can do is train well and stay in his mind.”
Shankland grew up watching Brazil’s Samba stars illuminate World Cup tournaments and is acutely aware of the scale of what Scotland face on Wednesday.
He said: “For me, if you think of the World Cup, Brazil are the first team that comes to your mind. They’re the first team I remember properly watching the World Cup and they won it.”
Legendary forward Neymar is expected to feature for Brazil, with Ancelotti poised to unleash the iconic figure against Scotland’s defensive unit.
Shankland offered a typically direct response when asked about facing Neymar, saying: “He’s up the other end of the pitch from me so the defenders will need to deal with him!”
Scotland know that a draw against Brazil would likely be sufficient to carry them through to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
He said: “We are going there to get a result. Obviously a draw will probably be enough to take us through. But we are going to try and win the game and if we get a point, we’ll take it.”
Off the pitch, Shankland will return home after the World Cup to link up with his former Hearts manager Derek McInnes, who was appointed Rangers boss during the tournament.
He said: “I’m pleased for the manager. It’s a good opportunity for him. But right now I’m just focused on this World Cup.”
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