The Talking Is Almost Over - It's Action

HAVING ENDURED disappointment at World Cups since 1954, I am refusing to get carried away by our 4-0 victory over Bolivia on Saturday night. Yes, I know it's rare for us to score four goals in an entire game, far less one half, but, I honestly don't think that win tells us too much about how we might go when it all gets real at the end of the week.

We all know, with Scotland, particularly at World Cup time, it's the hope that kills. This 2026 campaign is our 20^th crack at the game's ultimate prize. We have only qualified for 10 finals: the SFA spat the dummy and didn't go to Brazil in 1950, perhaps taking the not entirely wrong view: “Look, if we cannot beat a poor England team at home, what's the use of going to South America and facing some good teams.” That self-inflicted disaster apart, we have only qualified on 9 other occasions – a less than sterling 45% qualification rate.

When we have got there, our record makes equally dismal reading:

• p 23 – w 4 – d 7 – l 12 – 17% wins

Courtesy of some research on the Planet World Cup website, I have been able to work-out where we actually finished in those tournaments for which we managed to qualify – it does not make great reading:

• 1954 (Switzerland) - 15^th of 16

• 1958 (Sweden) - 14^th of 16

• 1974 (West Germany) - 9^th of 16

• 1978 (Argentina) - 11^th of 16

• 1982 (Spain) - 15^th of 24

• 1986 (Mexico) - 20^th of 24

• 1990 (Italy) - 18^th of 24

• 1998 (France) - 28^th of 32

We have NEVER managed to get out of the group stages in any of the nine finals we've participated in, but, being Scotland we always convince ourselves – this time it will be different. My belief in Scotland, battered by having witnessed a long series of losses and still mindful of my confidence in my fellow Ayrshireman, Sir Stephen Clarke – Ah hae ma doots.

I am, however, confident this might prove a good World Cup for the Scottish fans via our normal interest in the sharp end of matters – waiting to see when will They trip-up. You know them, the nation next door we never mention. Apparently, their 2026 vintage is finally going to end what is now Sixty years of hurt! Aye Right!

They've got a quality goalkeeper and a great centre forward, but, those two aside, it's the usual collection of over-rated journey-men, who will crash and burn via the usual monkey on their backs – English over-expectation.

This time, it is not a case of us having too-great expectations. We have an experienced, battle-hardened squad; getting out of the group and into the knock-out stages is the very least we ought to expect. How far we go thereafter is down to us.

However, after 28 years and six straight failures to qualify – we're back in the Big Show, you have to be in it to win it, so, why not? Let's buckle up and hope for a thrilling ride.