Steve Clarke to disregard Brazil love as Scotland aim for World Cup history

Steve Clarke will disregard his decades-long love of Brazil to try to drive Scotland to historic heights when the two sides clash on Wednesday.

The Scotland boss has been an admirer of the five-times World Cup winners since the side which included Pele won the trophy in Mexico, 1970, and comes up against them for the first time.

The three points gained against Haiti in their first Group C fixture - which leaves them one point behind Morocco and Brazil - may well be enough to take Scotland in to the last-32 of the competition for the first time, depending on results elsewhere.

However, one point against Carlo Ancelotti's side in Miami will all but guarantee that coveted achievement and another incentive for Clarke is that

Scotland have never beaten Brazil in 10 attempts, with eight defeats and two draws.

"For me, as a coach, to be involved in a World Cup match against Brazil, one of the most iconic teams in the world, first memories of the World Cup for me were probably the 1970 Brazil team," said Clarke, who confirmed Aaron Hickey is the only player unavailable as the right back continues load management.

"They were absolutely fantastic.

"They were great to see for a young boy growing up. And you grow up with that love of Brazil. But tomorrow night, we have to not love Brazil and love Scotland more.

"I think the characteristics of Brazil as a national team is they have to attack. These are the characteristics that people expect from a Brazil team.

"In qualifying, they did enough to qualify. Maybe they wanted to be better and finish higher in the section. To finish fifth, maybe a disappointment.

"But I think they've shown in the matches so far in this tournament that they can be a big threat, and I'm sure they expect to be minimum last four in the competition."

There is an expectation that Brazilian star Neymar could return to action for the first time in over two and half years.

The 34-year-old forward missed the first two Group C games with a calf injury but head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the attacker's fitness ahead of the game against Scotland.

"Obviously, his qualities are without question," said Clarke. "He's one of the superstars of the modern era. He always has injury issues coming into the tournament.

"I'm sure Carlo Ancelotti will use him wisely, whether that's from the bench or from the start.

"And we can expect a very dangerous opponent, but I could go on about there's always so many dangerous opponents, and Neymar is just another dangerous opponent.

"I think coming from the bench, he can certainly give the team a lift because the crowd will give him a lift when he comes, because he's such an iconic figure."

Speaking at the Miami after a thunderstorm had soaked the stadium and its environs, Clarke revealed he has "a strategy in mind" in how to deal with possible rain disruptions on Wednesday night.

He said: "Obviously, you don't know how long the delay is going to be. They're always doing it off the last lightning strike.

"You've got to wait 30 minutes off the last lightning strike, so that can just roll on and roll on.

"If there is to be a delay, then hopefully it will be a short one. Like I said before, we've got a coping strategy and we have an idea of what we'll do if it happens to us."

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