More than likely, it’s about when and not if Scotland will bow out of the 2026 World Cup.
On Wednesday, Scotland suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat to Brazil to leave Steve Clarke’s side on the brink of elimination, with Celtic defender Kieran Tierney coming on at half-time.
What’s interesting is that before the game, Ian Wright ranted about the state of Scottish football and how he feels ‘sorry’ for the supporters.
The former Celtic striker told ITV that when ‘you look at Scotland and the raw materials’ available on the domestic scene, then the powers that be are ‘letting down this country on a massive scale’ compared to what they can do.
“But at the same time, you look at Scotland and the raw materials,” said Wright. “You are looking at amazing attendances. Talent. Storylines. Grassroots participation.
“Somebody in Scotland is letting down this country on a massive scale.”
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Ian Wright claims Norway is proving to Scotland how to do it
Just like Scotland, this is also Norway’s first World Cup since 1998.
But with Erling Haaland leading the line, the Norwegians have already booked their ticket to the knockout rounds after winning their opening two matches.
Wright compared Scottish football, which has been dominated by Celtic for over 15 years, to Norway’s top-tier, and how they have managed to secure a broadcast deal that is ‘£25 million more a year than Scotland.’
That’s part of the reason why Wright wants the Scottish game to be ‘bolder’ and ‘braver’ in its vision for the domestic game.
“I feel sorry for Scotland, I feel sorry for the fans, and I feel sorry for everyone,” said Wright. “Laura (Woods) asked me the other day, ‘What can Scotland do next?” I think it goes a lot deeper than that.
“When you look at Norway. A country the same size as Scotland. Six or seven thousand, they are averaging on a weekly basis in attendance. Scotland are averaging 16,000.
“But Norway have managed to get a broadcast deal that is £25 million more a year than Scotland. Obviously, they have a better commercial outfit than them.
“But at the same time, you look at Scotland and the raw materials. You are looking at amazing attendances. Talent. Storylines. Grassroots participation. Somebody in Scotland is letting down this country on a massive scale.
“When you look at them, all over the world, very proud of them, the tourists. You have to do more. There has to be a bolder and braver vision for Scottish football for me.”
What next for Scotland?
Celtic duo Tierney and Anthony Ralston have featured for Scotland at this World Cup, as they now play the waiting game.
The Scotland players, who were in Miami for their defeat to Brazil, will return to their main base in Charlotte to see if they can still progress through via the 3rd place ranking.
The best eight teams, who finish third in their group, will secure qualification to the knockout rounds, as Scotland are currently hanging on by a thread in seventh place.
The majority of the teams around them are yet to play, including the five teams below them, which include Cape Verde, Belgium, DR Congo, Ecuador, and Senegal.
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