Ryan Christie: Scotland motivated by Euro 2024 pain for World Cup

Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie believes the agony of the team's Euro 2024 campaign has provided a powerful catalyst for their upcoming World Cup challenge. Following a heartbreaking exit in the previous tournament, the squad is determined to turn that frustration into a historic performance.

"A few of us left that thinking 'what could have been'," Christie said. "So I think this time we've got a bit of a chip on our shoulder that we are going to do something at this tournament. We are absolutely desperate to be the first team to get out of the group stage and create a bit more history."

As the team prepares for their opener against Haiti, Christie reflected on the "humbling" 5-1 defeat to Germany at Euro 2024, noting that he still carries memories of that opening night. He believes the team is now better prepared to handle the intensity of the World Cup schedule, which also includes a match against Brazil.

Christie also praised the impact of head coach Steve Clarke, who he feels has completely transformed the national team's setup and fostered a culture of mutual trust. "For me, he's got to go down as one of the great, great Scottish managers of all time," Christie added, highlighting the bond that has developed within the squad over the last several years.