Scotland manager Steve Clarke has defended midfielder Scott McTominay ahead of his team’s crucial Group C match against Morocco in the ongoing World Cup. Despite McTominay’s subdued performance in Scotland’s 1-0 victory over Haiti, Clarke expressed confidence that the 29-year-old midfielder is prepared to play a key role as the tournament progresses.

McTominay, who previously played for Manchester United, appeared below his usual standard in the opener, a result Clarke attributed in part to a sickness bug that affected him during the build-up to the game. Clarke maintained that the player was in “perfect” physical condition ahead of the match but acknowledged that the team as a whole struggled against Haiti’s midfield control. The manager noted, “The Haiti game was a struggle for a lot of the players, not just Scott. I thought Haiti controlled our midfield very well, so you have to give credit to them.”

Scotland secured all three points in their opening fixture at the Foxborough stadium in Boston, which positions them well going into the second group game against Morocco, also at the same venue. Clarke emphasized that a draw against Morocco would likely suffice to advance Scotland to the knockout stage, though he cautioned that the upcoming challenges remain significant. He praised Morocco’s performance against Brazil in their opening match and described the upcoming clash as “the next game for sure” in terms of difficulty.

While Clarke acknowledged McTominay’s importance to the team, he was careful not to place the entire burden on the midfielder’s shoulders. He highlighted the strength of Scotland’s squad, mentioning other key players such as John McGinn, Grant Hanley, and Kenny McLean. Clarke stressed that McTominay understands the importance of teamwork in realizing his potential and said, “If he can be that talisman [against Morocco], then that’d be great.”

Regarding tactics, Clarke did not confirm whether he would maintain the 4-4-2 formation that Scotland employed in the opening game. He noted the team’s preparation in multiple systems and suggested adaptability depending on the opponent, saying, “More systems, different personnel for different games… you’ll have to wait and see.”

The manager also acknowledged the high stakes for Scotland: failure to secure points against Morocco would place increased pressure on them in their final group encounter against Brazil in Miami. Nonetheless, Clarke remains optimistic about his squad’s prospects and the role McTominay could play in their World Cup campaign.