Jack Hendry is in the frame as Scotland prepare for Neymar’s expected return for Brazil in Miami on Wednesday. Steve Clarke wants his side ready for the Group C finale, with a point likely enough to push Scotland into the knockout stage.
Steve Clarke on Neymar
Clarke did not soften the message. He called Neymar a danger to defend against, then went further: “His qualities are without question … he’s a superstar.” He added: “He’s one of the superstars of the modern era.”
The Brazil forward is expected to make his bow for Brazil in this World Cup after returning from injury. Clarke said the threat remains the same whether he starts or comes off the bench. “We can expect a very dangerous opponent but I could go on about Brazil and so many dangerous opponents. Neymar is just one of them; even coming from the bench he would give them a lift because he is such an icon.”
Andy Robertson on Brazil
Andy Robertson widened the warning beyond one player. “It’s not about wanting to face Neymar or Vinícius Júnior, Endrick or [Gabriel] Martinelli,” he said, before adding: “I could go on and name every player in the Brazil squad because they have so much quality.”
He also pointed to the depth around those names. “It’s up to Carlo Ancelotti who plays. We just need to prepare the best we can but they have quality in every position.” Scotland’s captain made it clear the match plan cannot be built around targeting one individual while ignoring the rest of Brazil’s attack.
Aaron Hickey and Miami weather
Scotland will be without the injured Aaron Hickey, who also missed Scotland’s 1-0 loss to Morocco. Clarke said: “Aaron will hopefully get himself ready for the knockout stages” and added that everybody else is “fit and raring to go.”
There is another wrinkle in Miami Stadium. Clarke said Scotland have a strategy in mind if thunder, lightning and rain interrupt the match, and noted the 30-minute wait after the last lightning strike can stretch delays out. He pointed to the weather disruption that delayed France’s match with Iraq in Philadelphia for more than two hours as the sort of scenario his side have already discussed.
The calculation for Scotland is simple. Clarke said a point will almost certainly secure a knockout stage place, so the job on Wednesday is not just to absorb Neymar’s return but to leave Miami with something from a Brazil side he described as a major threat. Will Neymar start, or will Scotland be facing him from the bench?
