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Scotland assistant manager Steven Naismith says beating Haiti has lifted a significant weight off the shoulders of Steve Clarke’s players at the World Cup.
The Scots secured a 1-0 victory against Haiti in Boston on Saturday night, ending a World Cup hoodoo stretching back to 1990.
John McGinn’s winner was enough to put Scotland top of Group C and deliver Clarke’s first victory at a major tournament as national team boss.
Clarke had previously gone without a win across two European Championship campaigns, making the result in Boston especially meaningful for the entire squad.
Naismith insisted the players will be more relaxed heading into their second group game against Morocco in Foxborough on Friday night.
He said: “I think they’re more relaxed. We have ticked a few boxes and now have a win at a World Cup group stage. We have points.”
The assistant boss also revealed Clarke himself appeared visibly relieved, joking: “Aye, he was doing cartwheels. I think the corner of his lip raised a wee bit!”
Clarke has spoken publicly about wanting to enjoy this World Cup more than he did at Euro 2020 or Euro 2024, and Naismith says that mindset shift has been deliberate and considered.
He said: “I think he’s sat and reflected on why that is, and thought about what he could do to make it more enjoyable.”
One major change to Scotland’s approach in America has been giving players greater access to their families during the tournament, something Naismith described as central to the squad’s positive environment.
He said: “After the Haiti game we came back, had food and went to bed. But everyone was then up first thing to see their families for the day. That tells you everything about it.”
Naismith explained that at previous tournaments such personal time was considered a distraction, but the squad has since recognised how mentally draining constant subconscious focus can become.
He said: “In previous times that wouldn’t have happened. We’d have felt we have to be so focused. But that subconscious focus all the time drains you.”
Scotland must now back up the Haiti result against a considerably stronger Morocco side, with a place in the knockout stages of a World Cup representing uncharted territory for the national team.
Naismith spoke warmly about Clarke’s long-term belief in the project, recalling how the manager had vowed to qualify for a World Cup even after the painful play-off defeat to Ukraine that cost Scotland a place at the 2022 tournament.
He said: “At the time, it’s easy to say it because it’s the right thing to say. But he really believed it. And I think he’s now managing to enjoy it, being here.”
Praise from Naismith extended to Clarke’s man-management of players who did not even make the squad for America, with the assistant noting those left out still speak positively about the manager.
He said: “That’s because of how he is as a manager, with his tactics and with his man-management. But he’s driven. As he said before the tournament, he’s not finished yet.”
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