Boyd: 'Nervy' Scotland must step it up against Morocco

Kris Boyd claimed that Scotland looked 'nervous' as the favourites against Haiti and that they need to improve their performance levels if they want to secure a point against Morocco, which would all but see them qualify for the World Cup knockout stages.

John McGinn's deflected effort was enough to give the Scots a crucial first win at a World Cup in 36 years, and leave them top of Group C after Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco.

Despite the positive result, the performance wasn't what many had hoped for as Scotland failed to hammer home their superiority despite Steve Clarke opting to start with two strikers in an attempt to be more on the front foot.

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Scotland meet Morocco in their second group game on Friday, where a point should all but secure their place in the Round of 32 as a result of the new format allowing eight third-placed teams to progress from the group stages alongside the winners and runners-up.

Boyd has suggested that playing as favourites caused tension among the players, and insisted that while three points could still be enough for progression, Clarke's side would need to step up if they want to snatch a result against the seventh-ranked team in the world.

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"The most important thing was to get the three points," he said.

"We did that. Was it Scotland’s best performance? No, but we can’t moan if we’re winning games.

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"I still think the performance wasn’t at the level we thought it was going to be, but I thought there were some decent performances within it. I thought Lewis Ferguson in the middle of the pitch was really good. The centre-back pairing of Hanley and Hendry defended really well. John McGinn was doing what John McGinn does.

"We can go on about tactics. The most important thing was getting the three points. Three points might be enough to get us through. Especially when even so early in the tournament when you see some of the results.

"I don’t think anyone was expecting Australia to beat Turkey. There have been upsets already. It would’ve been quite Scotland-esque to drop points against Haiti. It wasn’t the case.

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"Because they were going in as heavy favourites and everyone was expecting Steve Clarke to go with two strikers and carry a threat, you could tell the players were nervous. There were a few nervy passes and it took them five or 10 minutes to settle. Even the crowd. Until Scotland got the goal it was very quiet.

"They [Morocco] are a proper team. Steve Clarke is not daft. He will know the performance levels will have to step up considerably if we are going to get anything out of it."

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'Front two didn't work'

With Clarke seeking a more assertive display, he opted to line up with both Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams leading the line.

However, the combination failed to deliver much of a threat, and Boyd expects Clarke to revert to packing out the defence or midfield on Friday night.

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"The whole chat going into the tournament was if Steve Clarke was going to play two upfront in the opening game," he added.

"He did that, but I don’t think it turned out the way he thought it would. I expect Scotland to go five in midfield or three at the back against Morocco because when you watch them against Brazil, you can see they are a proper team.

"Our levels are going to have to increase but I do expect one of the strikers to come out and to have more bodies in that midfield area."

However, one attacking player Boyd does not want to see dropped for the second group game is Ben Gannon-Doak, as he hailed his efforts in Boston.

"I thought he was always a threat. For such a young boy, his work ethic up and down that wing was second to none.

"He can go on either foot. He’s a real threat. I feel as though Scotland need to utilise him much more. Get the ball to him and let him take people on."

Scotland World Cup fixtures & results

Sunday June 14: Haiti 0-1 Scotland, kick-off 2am - Foxborough, USA

Friday June 19: Scotland vs Morocco, kick-off 11pm - Foxborough, USA

Wednesday June 24: Scotland vs Brazil, kick-off 11pm - Miami, USA