Back on the global stage for the first time this century 🌍
Scotland and Haiti make their return to the @FIFAWorldCup with their first appearances since 1998 and 1974 respectively 👏
One of the joys of a World Cup – one of the genuine joys – is being introduced to players you knew little or nothing about. There’s no better stage on which to break out than a tournament watched by billions of people.
Ben Gannon-Doak, the Scotland winger, isn’t exactly off the radar. He was well thought of as he rose through Liverpool’s academy, and he’s had a touch of Premier League exposure at Bournemouth.
But it’s unlikely that large pockets of South America, North America, Asia or Africa have seen him before, and his 90 minutes against Haiti suggest he’ll exit these finals with his reputation enhanced.
Tonight, the 20-year-old also demonstrated the high value of members of the Scotland squad who come up with big moments; or to put that another way, players who can compensate individually for a collective display as patchy as this one against Haiti.
Fingers crossed the injury which forced him off towards the end isn’t much to worry about.
📝 @PhilHay_
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