Scotland assistant manager Steven Naismith has declared that Brazil’s star-studded lineup will not intimidate Clarke’s side ahead of their crucial Group C clash in Miami.
The Dark Blues returned to their Charlotte base following Friday night’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco in Boston, leaving their World Cup progress hanging in the balance.
Scotland currently need at least a point against Brazil to guarantee a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Even a narrow defeat could be enough, with Opta statisticians calculating a 63 per cent chance of progressing on goal difference following a 2-0 loss.
That figure drops to just over 40 per cent if Brazil win by three goals, and falls to around 30 per cent in the event of a four-goal defeat.
Scotland and Brazil share a long tournament history stretching back to a 0-0 draw at the 1974 World Cup in Germany, with three defeats following in 1982, Italia 90, and France 98.
Across 10 meetings between the two nations, Scotland have yet to record a single victory against the five-time world champions.
Naismith, speaking to media on Clarke’s behalf, insisted the famous yellow shirts will hold no psychological power over the Scottish players come Wednesday night.
“I don’t think it will, to be honest,” Naismith said when asked whether Brazil’s reputation might unsettle the squad.
“These days, so many of the players are coming up against these types of players — or are team-mates with them — that they’re used to them.”
Naismith was clear that the team’s approach must involve genuine attacking ambition rather than simply managing a narrow losing margin.
“The two things aren’t aligned; because of the stats, we need to do this,” Naismith explained, dismissing any purely defensive mindset.
“When we’re in possession we need to take risks,” he added, emphasising that passive defending would only invite further punishment.
He cautioned, however, that recklessness remains a danger, saying: “That’s when you’ll get picked off!” if Scotland simply chased goals without maintaining structure.
Brazil’s iconic forward Neymar could make his first appearance of the competition having missed the opening two Group C matches through injury.
At 34, the former PSG man is widely considered to be past his peak, though Naismith refused to dismiss the threat he carries.
Naismith pointed to Lionel Messi’s recent hat-trick as a reminder that age means little, saying: “Neymar is the kind of player who can do things all on his own, so you have to be prepared for that.”
He warned that Brazil’s squad depth makes them dangerous from multiple angles, adding: “If you lose possession and lose your structure, they’ll punish you without a doubt.”
Scotland’s team shape and selection remain uncertain heading into Wednesday’s match, with Clarke weighing changes following a toothless performance against Morocco.
Naismith concluded that the side must strike a balance, saying: “We’ll be solid as well as having a threat,” as Scotland prepare for one of the biggest nights in recent national football history.
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