Ally McCoist makes Scotland plea ahead of 2026 World Cup after Euros disappointment - 'We never laid a glove on anybody'
Published 04/06/2026 at 11:27 GMT+1
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Ally McCoist has called on Scotland to "make an impact" at this summer's World Cup after underwhelming performances at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
McCoist calls on Scotland to 'make an impact' on World Cup
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Steve Clarke's side managed a single point in the group stage of both tournaments, but expectations are higher heading into the World Cup in North America.
Scotland qualified impressively, winning four of six games and topping their group ahead of Denmark.
Their group at the World Cup is a potentially tricky one, with five-time champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco likely to be stern opposition.
But Scotland's first game is against Haiti, who are in the tournament for just the second time, and McCoist - while praising the job done by Clarke since his appointment in 2019 - has highlighted the importance of a positive start.
"He's got us to the last two Euros, he's got us to the last World Cup, but we've got to make an impact, do something that makes us all talk about Scotland for a reason," the former Scotland striker said on TNT Sports' The Breakdown.
"We never laid a glove on anybody [at the Euros]. I genuinely think we should win our opening game [against Haiti]."
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Scotland are not expected to reach the latter stages of the World Cup but, with three potential qualification spots from the group stage, there is hope of reaching the knockouts.
A clash with Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil in their final group game on June 24 in Miami will be an exciting test of Scotland's level on the biggest stage.
And they should not be overawed given the number of top-flight players in their ranks.
"John McGinn, [Scott] McTominay, [Ryan] Christie, they're all good footballers," McCoist said. "[Kieran] Tierney and [Andy] Robertson, we've got guys now who are comfortable on the ball.
"We've got defenders that are just solid, we've always had that. They're solid, honest defenders. We lack a bit of quality in forward areas, of course we do."
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Scotland will hope their key players perform when it matters most after some unconvincing results in the months leading up to the World Cup.
Rangers-bound striker Lawrence Shankland scored twice in a 4-1 friendly win over Curacao last time out but prior to that Clarke's team were beaten 1-0 by Cote d'Ivoire and Japan.
Those warm-up matches will be quickly forgotten if Scotland do well in the tournament though.
"This is the third tournament this group has been at and we want to be the first Scottish team to get to the knockout stage," Clarke said before his squad boarded the plane for North America last weekend.
"Hopefully we can show a bit of tournament experience and make it a summer to remember."
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