Dick Advocaat convinced Scotland can be World Cup shock troops - but word of caution given ahead of Haiti clash
Legendary Dutchman insists Steve Clarke’s side were a cut above his Caribbean minnows during Saturday’s Hampden farewell friendly clash
Dick Advocaat believes Scotland can be this summer’s World Cup shock troops after conceding Steve Clarke’s side had too much quality for his Curacao side in yesterday’s 4-1 friendly defeat at Hampden.
The former Rangers manager watched on as the Scots’ responded emphatically to Tahith Chong’s stunning solo opener by racking up an impressive margin of victory thanks to goals from Findlay Curtis, a Lawrence Shankland brace and Ryan Christie’s late penalty after Curacao forward Jurgen Locadia had been sent off in the first-half.
Advocaat was far from pleased with the referee’s decision to dish out a red card in a friendly but admitted their opponents were a cut above his Caribbean minnows, who will be the smallest ever nation to appear at a World Cup Finals next month.
And the legendary Dutch veteran believes Scotland can make their mark in North America as they look progress out of their group at a major tournament for the first time.
“Scotland have good individuals,” he stated. “You can see where they play and where our players are playing. There’s a big difference. Scotland is an outsider and we are as well. But outsiders can surprise. Why not?
“Scotland has some good players so they can surprise us all, despite being in a very difficult group. Until our player was sent off, we really did well against a good team. But I saw a lot of good things.
“With ten men it was very difficult, plus the fact they scored to make it 1-1 before half-time. If you go in with a 1-0 lead, then it’s a little bit easier to accept that. In the second half it was only defence.”
On the challenge that saw Locadia sent packing for an elbow in the face of Aaron Hickey, Advocaat said: “If you get a good referee, then he will say ‘take him out and bring somebody else in’. Now we have to wait for what will happen for the World Cup, so that makes it a bit difficult.”
Despite talking up Scotland’s chances, Advocaat has issued a word of warning to Clarke’s men ahead of their opener against expected Group C whipping boys Haiti in Boston on June 14.
Curacao thrashed their Caribbean rivals in qualifying and the 78-year-old, commented: “We beat them 5-1, but it was five attacks, five goals and they had 20 attacks and one goal. They have some strong, fast players.”