
Tony Docherty has “a good feeling” that Scotland will at last put to bed their reputation for “glorious failure” when they face Brazil in World Cup Group C on Wednesday.
The Scots will almost certainly qualify for the knock-out stages of a major tournament for the first time if Steve Clarke’s side avoid defeat in Miami.
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“I’ve actually got a good feeling,” former Dundee and Ross County manager Docherty told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast. “I’m positive about it.”
Docherty expected the win over Haiti but pointed out that Morocco and Brazil were always going to be tough as they are the seventh and sixth ranked sides in the world.
“But what I’ve got an opportunity now,” he said. “People might view this as a threat or as an opportunity. I see it as an opportunity.
“They’ll approach this game like any game, with the same attacking principles, same defensive principles, hoping that the footballing gods look down on us a wee bit.
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“I don’t think they did against Morocco. I think decisions went against us, I think the referee was poor.
“We’re still in a position that we can qualify for the next 32 and make history.”
Docherty pointed out that playing in the heat of Miami will be “like playing in the oven” where “you’re gasping for breath”.
However, he added: “Everybody has that feeling of you know, Scotland historically, we’ve had that glorious failure.
“I feel this group of players are different and I’ve felt it for a while. They show real resilience and a real strong mentality and that’s going to be required tonight.
“Playing in a World Cup against Brazil for qualification, it doesn’t get any better than that. I can see us coming away with a one each.”







