Boyd also referenced the broader picture in the tournament, noting that early upsets — including Australia's win over Turkey — underlined the unpredictable nature of the competition. Scotland, he suggested, had avoided a potentially damaging slip-up that would have been in keeping with the nation's difficult World Cup history.
Front two fails to fire
Clarke had opted to start with both Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams as a front two, signalling an intent to attack from the outset. However, the combination struggled to create a genuine threat, and Boyd expects the Scotland manager to revert to a more conservative shape for the Morocco encounter — likely five in midfield or three at the back.
Boyd pointed to Morocco's display against Brazil as evidence that Clarke will need to plan carefully. Morocco, ranked seventh in the world, are, in Boyd's assessment,
