World Cup stories: Scotland legend wary of squad's weakness ahead of tournament return

This summer's World Cup, being the biggest-ever variant of the football's grandest stage, has opened the door for several teams to reappear at the finals. 

There are returns in 2026 for Norway, Turkey, Austria, and, for the first time since 1998, Scotland will head to North America. 

After their dramatic qualifying win over Denmark, the Scots will ironically lock horns with two sides they met in the group stages almost thirty years ago in Brazil and Morocco, as well as Haiti in Group C when the tournament kicks off in 57 days.

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Steve Clarke's team have high hopes of making history in the States, but former defender Colin Hendry does have some concerns with one particular area of the Scotland squad. 

Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to 10bet, where you can bet on sports, Hendry, who was part of the Tartan Army's team back at France '98, thinks Clarke needs to find the best way to get more goals out of the team. 

"We probably have the same problem now as we did back in ’98: we were never prolific at scoring goals," Hendry said.

"I still think goalscoring is a problem for Scotland and has been for a long time.

"I'm hoping Lawrence Shankland can come in; he's been out injured for a bit, but he scored a penalty for Hearts on Saturday.

"He will be the number one striker for Scotland, depending on how we play.

"Between those three lads—McTominay, McGinn, and hopefully Shankland—we will get goals.

"In the past, we haven't been prolific, but different parts of the team contributed. If that helps us out in the initial game, hopefully we can get into the next stages."

If they can find the goals, Scotland's aim will be simple: to be the first Scottish side to progress beyond the group stage at a major tournament.

And, given the expanded format of this year's competition, Hendy is confident that Clarke's men will finally change that unwanted record.

(C)Getty Images

Adding, "With the new rules, where the eight best third-placed teams are included in the next round, I think Scotland has an excellent chance of achieving that.

"That said, we have to beat Haiti. I know Tunisia beat them in a recent friendly, but it is still going to be a game and a half.

"Then there is Morocco and, of course, we’re probably unfancied against the likes of Brazil. The good thing is we have the easiest game first. If that gives us three points, I think we have every chance of going into the next stages."

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