Steve Clarke believes Scotland will revel in their status as World Cup underdogs against Morocco.
Ranked seventh in the world, the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals of the last tournament in Qatar.
Favourites to overcome Haiti in the opening game, a 1-0 win left the Scots in need of a single point to secure a place in the knock-out stages of a major international tournament for the first time in history.
Second favourites against the African Nations champions, Clarke said: “Against difficult opponents we have to be very good. We understand that.
“But sometimes the Scottish psyche and the Scottish mentality means we are a little bit more comfortable when we are the underdogs. We were the favourites against Haiti and we found the game a struggle but we managed to win.
“This time we are the underdogs and sometimes Scotland prefer it that way.”
The stronger team in a 1-1 draw with Brazil in the opening game of Group C, the Moroccans exceeded all expectations by overcoming Belgium, Spain and Portugal to reach the last four of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Under new coach Mohammed Ouahbi an injection of young blood saw the team end the draw with Brazil with six players aged 23 or under. “Morocco reached the last four of the previous World Cup,” adds Clarke. “And I think this Moroccan side is every bit as good if not better and can certainly go on to become better. They'll have aspirations to be in the last four again.
"It's a big challenge for us against Morocco and that's the only game that's in front of them just now. We give them a lot of respect."
Read more
-
Andy Robertson: Captain on Boston takeover and keeping Morocco's dangerous duo quiet
-
Tartan Army asked to pay tribute to Scotland supporter who passed away at World Cup
-
Fired-up Ryan Christie insists Scotland are 'raring to go' ahead of Morocco test
Clarke refused to offer any insight into his thinking on personnel or shape. Starting the game against Haiti with a 4-4-2 formation, the Scotland boss is expected to add another body to midfield or defence to make his team more resilient.
Ryan Christie could come into a five-man midfield, with Kieran Tierney at left centre back another of the options at his disposal. "It's worked well for us, but every system that we've ever played, we've put a lot of work into," Clarke said.
"I've shown over my time as head coach that we can do different systems. It's something that we've always wanted to try and expand on. More systems, different personnel for different games.
"That's something that you'll have to wait and see, as always."
A night for high marks from every player, Clarke needs his big performers to turn up and bring their A game. Scott McTominay suffered a stomach upset and missed training before the Haiti game.
The team’s talisman, Clarke needs the Napoli midfielder to be present and correct in the Boston Stadium for Friday's 11pm kick-off. "I think the Haiti game was a struggle for a lot of the players, not just Scott. I thought Haiti controlled our midfield very well.
"So you have to give credit to them. Sometimes you don't get the chance to bring your attributes to the game because of what the opposition do. I think that might have been the case.
"Scott's in a good place and ready to go again."
Adopting the view that the squad are in a good place and locked and loaded, Clarke declined to speculate on the chances of Scotland making history. It’s not his style. “It’s just to focus on what we can do.
"We speak about it in training, and obviously our preparation is geared towards the game. We don’t want to speak about what might happen or what could happen; we can only speak about what we can control on the pitch.
“That’s being good out of possession and being good in possession. If we get both of those right, then we have the chance to get a result.”
