Scotland kick off World Cup campaign with 1-0 win over Haiti in Boston
They top Group C after draw between Brazil and Morocco in section's other fixture
John McGinn and Ben Gannon-Doak react to victory
John McGinn’s match-winning strike in victory over Haiti may not have been the most beautiful of his career, but it was certainly one of the most significant.
It was the nation’s first goal since they last competed at the global finals in 1998, put them top of their group, and sent the travelling hordes of Scotland fans into delirium.
“It wasn’t my best of goals, but who cares?” said a beaming McGinn of his deflected 28th-minute effort. “It was all a bit surreal, to be honest. When it hit the back of the net, you could just see the Scotland fans in the stadium going wild… I don't think it's really sunk in yet, but it's just a great feeling.
“These opportunities don't come around too often. We said before at major tournaments, at the EUROs, did we bring our best? Or did we leave the tournament saying we could have done more or we could have shown more?
“That's what I tried to bring to the game tonight. Sometimes things didn't come off but I promised myself that I would be positive and try things. If it didn't come off, get the ball and try it again.”
Ben Gannon-Doak had a huge part to play in McGinn’s goal, blazing clear down the right wing before sending in a cross which eventually landed at the Aston Villa’s star’s feet.
Twenty-year-old Gannon-Doak was among Scotland’s finest performers on the night, with his pace, penetration and invention causing Haiti defenders all manner of problems. Asked by FIFA where the night ranked in his burgeoning career, his answer was unequivocal.
“Number one. A World Cup debut in the United States… It can't get any better than that, especially playing for a country like Scotland. Our fans were brilliant. Scotland fans travel well, and they travel in numbers, and they travel loud! I’m just buzzing. I loved every single minute of it.”
On how he was able to play with such freedom and flair on football’s biggest stage, Gannon-Doak said: “I'd just like to thank God for that. I know I can go out there with confidence, knowing He’s on my side. I can go out and play with no fear.”
The Bournemouth winger also paid tribute to man-of-the-moment McGinn – and outlined how Scotland can improve as they turn their attentions to Friday’s meeting with Morocco.
“First of all, he [McGinn] is just a 24/7 wind-up! But he's brilliant. He’s been through many highs and many lows in a Scotland shirt, so I can’t imagine what he was feeling when the ball hit the back of the net.
“We did well to get ahead and played some decent football at times. But we wanted to keep the ball more in the closing stages of the game and to see the game out with an extra goal or two as well. We know we can be better than that. We know our standards.”
McGinn also admitted having a degree of frustration Scotland could not assert their authority on the game at times. He is convinced, however, there is more to come against Morocco and their final group opponents, Brazil.
“The good thing for us is we've got more gears to go up. Haiti score a lot of goals and are dangerous up front, so the crucial thing tonight was that we kept a clean sheet.
"Brazil and Morocco are two teams who are in the top ten in the world. We know the qualities they possess, but it might suit us a little bit better to play on the counter-attack and make it difficult for them. We know what's at stake.”
Sources: FIFA Official
