Scotland’s World Cup destiny is in their own hands but lack of gamechangers shows | Ewan Murray

T he permutations Steve Clarke is so desperate to avoid are already dominating discussion among the Tartan Army. As Ismael Saibari smacked Morocco in front inside two minutes against Scotland , goal difference rose on the horizon of anyone wanting Clarke and his players to create history. Those in navy blue were clinging on in Boston. What happened next can be considered a moral victory for Scotland. Morocco were wasteful for the remainder of the first half. Scotland improved markedly in the second period, even daring to control spells of the game. The 1-0 defeat returns their goal difference to zero rather than leaving them already staring at early elimination while on three points. The problem is, Brazil lie in wait next. Scotland find themselves in strange territory. Should they avoid a heavy loss to Brazil – and the Morocco fixture proved that is feasible – they have at least a decent chance of progressing to the last 32. Not that anything can be said with certainty regarding stage-one outcomes; far too many matches are still to be played. Group B is problematic for Scotland, given a win for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Qatar would move three teams to at least four points. So, too, is Group D where Australia and Paraguay – both on three points already – face off in the final game. Mutual acceptable outcomes etc. A batch of teams who finish the group stage after Scotland will know precisely what they have to do. …