Scotland fans have reacted after Jamie Carragher’s latest World Cup prediction appeared to overlook Steve Clarke’s side.
With excitement building ahead of the tournament, supporters were hoping Scotland’s recent progress would finally earn them greater recognition among football’s biggest pundits.
Instead, many believe they have once again been written off.
Carragher’s comments and predictions quickly became a talking point among supporters, with many questioning why Scotland continue to receive so little attention despite qualifying for the tournament and producing some impressive performances in recent years.
While Carragher focused on football’s traditional powerhouses, Scotland fans were left wondering why their national team was barely part of the conversation.
The reaction online was immediate.
Many supporters argued that Scotland are consistently underestimated whenever a major tournament comes around.
Others pointed out that Steve Clarke has assembled one of the strongest Scotland squads in recent memory, featuring experienced internationals, Premier League talent and players capable of causing problems for any opponent.
Supporters also highlighted Scotland’s recent record against some of Europe’s top nations as evidence that the team deserves far more respect than it is currently receiving.
One fan wrote: “Nobody gives Scotland a chance and that’s exactly why we love proving people wrong.”
Another added: “Every tournament it’s the same story. We’re ignored until we start getting results.”
Of course, few supporters are claiming Scotland are favourites to lift the World Cup.
But many believe the gap between Scotland and some of the more highly-rated nations is far smaller than pundits suggest.
For Steve Clarke and his players, the comments are unlikely to matter.
The Scotland manager has repeatedly stressed the importance of focusing on performances rather than outside opinions.
However, among supporters, Carragher’s prediction has become the latest example of what they see as a lack of respect towards the national team.
Whether Scotland can prove the doubters wrong remains to be seen.
But if Steve Clarke’s side can put together a memorable run at the World Cup, many fans will be remembering exactly who wrote them off before a ball was even kicked.
