The departing Tartan Army have hailed the “best trip ever” in Boston as we begin our descent on Miami. Fans were left gutted that we didn’t get the point we needed on Friday night to all-but guarantee qualification through a group at a major tournament for the first time.
The defiant foot soldiers are certain it’s not over yet – but after a tight 1-0 loss to Morocco, the local supporters want to see us be more positive against Brazil on Wednesday. Stevie Allan, 62, who works in construction and is from Glasgow, watched the drama unfold from the fan zone at Boston City Hall.
He said: “It was a really disappointing game. Shocking to be honest with you. It’s such a let down. From the first game you are expecting us to be a bit more attacking. We held our own in the second half but the first half was really disappointing.
“We need to be more attack-minded if we are going to get through this group. We just let Morocco rule the whole game. If you attack these teams you aren’t going to be able to sustain that amount of pressure.
View 6 ImagesStevie Allan wants Scotland to be ‘more attack-minded’ against Brazil(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
“These are quality teams. We can’t fear Brazil. If you are going to fear these teams then what’s the point in being here? It’s easy enough done. Brazil aren’t world beaters any more. They’re not the team that they used to be.
“We’ve just got to go all out and go for the win. Go for a more attacking forward line that we went for against Morocco and I think we can beat them.
“We’ve absolutely loved Boston, though. This result put a bit of a downer on it but we’re not letting it ruin our trip. We’re looking forward to Miami now for a couple of days and looking forward to enjoying the sunshine – top up my tan a little bit!”
Many were shocked to see Ben Gannon-Doak not on the line-up and they’ve called for the Bournemouth winger to start on Wednesday night. Two of those are Ralph Sandsfield, 58, and his son Adam, 21, who have travelled over to Boston from Glasgow.
The pair also watched the Morocco match from the fan zone, and law student Adam said: “Bring on Brazil! I think we really gave it our all out there on the pitch. We were a wee bit defensive but you’ve got to be out there against these teams.”
View 6 ImagesRalph and Adam Sandsfield are keen to see more of Ben Gannon-Doak in Miami(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Asked what needs to change to make sure we get a result against Brazil, Adam said: “We need to be a wee bit more attacking against Brazil. I’d start Ben Gannon-Doak. When he came on he made a difference going forward.”
Ralph added: “Maybe try not to lose a goal early, that would help! But listen, the boys did really well. I can’t argue with it. We will support them until the end. I definitely think we are still going to get out of the group.
“It was a tough game. To lose that early goal, it was always going to be a hard slog. I thought we did okay after that. We battled hard. I really can’t argue with it. We lasted the full 90 minutes, it was good.”
Shaun Buchanan, 57, is originally from Falkirk but now lives in Dublin. He travelled across to Boston with Clodaigh Duchch and said: “We’re a bit disappointed. I think Steve Clarke should have made some changes earlier. It felt like they were there for the taking. We should have got at least a point.
View 6 ImagesShaun Buchanan hailed Boston as ‘fantastic'(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
“But we’ve been here enjoying the atmosphere. Boston has been fantastic. We’ve been here since May 29 and we’ve just had a ball. The people have been so inviting. We have loved it.
“We just have to move onto the next game. We will have to be more adventurous against Brazil. Gannon-Doak needs to start. It’s not been the best so far, to hold against Haiti wasn’t the best. I’m not being negative, I’m just being realistic. We will still get through the group. I think the three points we have should be enough.”
Gillian Lavety, 49, and little Louis Hamilton, 7, from Paisley, have had the trip of a lifetime in Boston and the pair aren’t feeling too downbeat after the result.
Louis, who was invited onto the pitch to meet the players during the first game against Haiti, said: “I thought we did okay, but we couldn’t do anything about it when Morocco scored that early goal. The keeper had no chance.
View 6 ImagesLouis Hamilton was on the pitch before the Haiti game and is confident Scotland will get through(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
“Brazil is going to be very tough. I’m not confident that we will win but I think we will get a draw and get out the group for the first time in history!”
Gillian added: “We should have had a penalty, so that is really disappointing. But we’ve had an amazing trip. We were at the Haiti game and Louis was on the pitch cheering the team on and singing the anthem. I think we are going to beat Brazil 2-0.”
Sam Harrison, 31, Stephen Beedie, 30, and Lewis Murray, 31, are certain we still have enough to get through.
Stephen, a sub-engineer from Aberdeen, said: “I think we started too negative. We didn’t set ourselves up to try and win the game. We were playing for a 0-0 and when you go down to 1-0 after 90 seconds – what you going to do?
“We only went for it after 80 minutes and if you do that you can never expect to get anything. But anyway, it doesn’t matter. We’re still going to get through the group. We’ll batter Brazil 5-0 – no bother!
View 6 ImagesSam, Stephen, and Lewis are heading to Miami next(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Lewis, an engineer from Edinburgh, said: “We definitely have to be more attacking. We sat far too defensively, so when you go 1-0 down so quickly you’re stuck in that position. I’d like a little bit more confidence up front for the Brazil game.”
Sam, also a sub-engineer from Aberdeen, added: “I feel not playing Gannon-Doak gave us no out ball. We’ve got Che Adams up there on his own. Holding the ball up isn’t really his game. I just felt we never looked like we were going to score a goal.
“He had to play Gannon-Doak or start Lawrence Shankland. But our time in Boston has been unreal. Everyone has been so accommodating. It’s been so good. We were feeling a bit precarious coming out here but everyone has been so happy to see the Scots. We’re out for part two in Miami next and we’re ready to go.”
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