Scotland’s World Cup dreams ended after defeat to Brazil, but the former Scotland international doesn’t believe they have earned the right to progress, although there is still hope
Scotland have only won one game at the World Cup, but they still have a chance of making it to the finals (Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
Former Scotland international Craig Burley has admitted his country “really don’t deserve to play” and that continuing to feature in the World Cup “will only reward complete mediocrity”.
Scotland suffered a heavy defeat on Wednesday night as Brazil cruised to a 3-0 win, leaving Scotland waiting nervously about their future in the tournament. They won the opening game against Haiti, but then lost to Morocco.
Losing to Brazil by three goals narrowed the goal difference, but this difference could be crucial as they aim to advance to the round of 32 as one of the best teams in the top three.
The expansion of the World Cup has made it harder to get eliminated than to stay, but Scotland will have to wait for other results to decide their fate. Burley admits keeping Scotland in the World Cup would be a terrible reflection on the new format.
He told ESPN: “I have no problem with Scotland being eliminated or the teams below them being eliminated, because, I’m sorry, I know this is the way the 48-team bracket works, but we’re just rewarding complete mediocrity.”
“If we’re being honest, they don’t deserve to get through and I don’t think they’ll get through unless we’re lucky. In fact, if they do get through, I think we’ll just continue to have the embarrassment of being looked at in the same way as Scotland.”
“It’s kind of second-rate. They just don’t have the players. They have a few, but they just don’t have the players of yesteryear.”
Craig Burley doesn’t believe his country deserves to advance to the World Cup (Image: ESPN)
Scotland stars John McGinn and Andy Robertson have both slammed their chances of promotion, with the Aston Villa man claiming it is “unlikely” they will remain in the World Cup, but Burley insists there is nothing to shout about even if they do.
“If we get through, that’s fine, but if this is the first Scottish team ever to get through to the group stages, we shouldn’t celebrate because it’s just a bye,” he insisted.
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