Scotland have coping strategy for weather delays, says Clarke

Head coach Steve Clarke says Scotland have put plans in place to deal with any weather delays that might affect their crucial World Cup match with Brazil in Miami on Wednesday.

The Scots know a draw in their final Group C match will all but guarantee passage into the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.

Thunder storms are forecast for Miami and could cause the match to be paused.

The Group I match between France and Iraq on Monday was halted for two hours due to lightning strikes in the area around the stadium in Philadelphia.

“I think so far we’ve probably been a little bit lucky with the weather,” Clarke said.

“Looking at the forecast, it’s possible that there will be some rain disruptions.

“We have a strategy in mind on how to deal with it. 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 but we have an idea of what we’ll do if it happens to us.”

Clarke, who confirmed that full-back Aaron Hickey will not be fit for the match, will put a long-held fondness for Brazil to one side.

“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.

“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.”