Alan Shearer Exclusive: Scotland can beat Haiti and it will be a big success if they get out of the group

Huge game for Scotland for getting out of the group

It is a good fixture for Scotland to have in their first game, but I do think that Haiti will probably be thinking they've had two friendlies and scored a few goals, so they will be up for it.

I don't see Scotland getting anything out of Morocco or anything out of Brazil, so I do see this as their game. And if they're going to qualify, this is the game they're going to have to win.

I think Scotland will beat Haiti 2-0 with Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland getting the goals.

However, Mctominay not playing in the opener would be a huge blow because I do think that's the game for them. I do think that's the game that they have to win. So, they would need everyone at full pelt, and we've seen his form and what he is to the Scotland team so if he didn't play it would be a huge blow, particularly with Billy Gilmour out the midfield as well.

I think Shankland is going to be the shining light for Scotland at this year's tournament. I think with his goals, he's got his move to Rangers on the back of his brilliant season at Hearts, and I think with his belief and confidence with the goal he got in the friendly, I think he can do well for Scotland.

He'll be itching to go. I think very much like England in terms of relying on their centre forward, I think if Scotland are going to get through, then he's going to have to be at his best.

Huge success if Scotland qualify for Round of 32

I think it would be a success if Scotland were to get through to the Round of 32. If they got into the last 16, then that would be a huge success for me. They're in a tough group because they've got Brazil and Morocco. So, if they were to get through and then through the Round of 32, then that would be a success for me.

I don't think Steve Clarke would be in trouble job wise if they did not get out of the group. I mean they had a huge blow with Gilmour getting injured and not being able to be in the squad. but no, I wouldn't, I wouldn't say so.

I think he's done a really good job, Steve. And he seems to have a decent squad there together but if it was the worst-case scenario then I don't think he would be under pressure, no.

It is not a good look with what has happened so far at the World Cup

I don't think it's a good look with what's happened with the ref and other players and members of coaching staff not being allowed into the country.

I think leading into every World Cup there's always something under the microscope, but I think more so than ever at this World Cup. But I'm hoping because the football has now kicked off that we can start talking about football.

I'm slightly concerned that in that first game there were three red cards. I agree with one of them, the first one but the other two certainly should have been at most a yellow card for me.

The third one could have gone either way. I hope that's not a precedent for what we're about to see because you're always aware that even when you first start a Premier League season, they always want to clamp down on everything and for the first month you're seeing so many decisions one way which they want to try and implement.

I hope that's not the case in this World Cup with those three red cards.

The World Cup is starting to take off

I arrived on Monday afternoon and it is incredibly hot. It's really humid and slowly but surely as the hours pass and we're getting towards Saturday, because the Brazilians are now in town, there's a party atmosphere.

There was a party atmosphere on Wednesday evening when the New York Knicks played and won. It was incredible. I was in a bar having a couple of pints of Guinness with a pal and the atmosphere in the bar was incredible. But then after the game, the streets just went berserk.

But there's more and more football tops around you and there's a lot of Scotland tops and kilts around as well because Scotland are in Boston. It is just starting to get that feeling that it's starting to take off.

Huge opportunity for Marcus Rashford to show clubs just how good he is

We know Marcus Rashford's talent, there's no doubt. I think I said it seven or eight months ago, it was a defining moment in his career because he's been given a great opportunity. I think there's no doubt he took that opportunity at Barcelona. What their situation is now with Anthony Gordon remains to be seen.

With Rashford's career sort of up in the air again, it is a big opportunity for him to say this is who I am again at the World Cup. This is what I can do. But there's, without doubt, a top player there.

I guess his salary would be a concern for whoever takes him because I mean it's a really difficult situation for him now because Man United are going to want to a fee and then there is his salary and all of that. So, I guess there's a lot of work to be done for whoever is going to take him.

I understand Woltemade's feelings on unfair criticism

I get it and understand Nick Woltemade's feelings. I just don't see him as a main centre-forward, which is not his fault. I think it has been a tough season. He had a brilliant start, but it has been a tough season for him. But I understand his comments about unfair criticism.

I understand why Man City want Elliot Anderson so much

I guess how they get their valuation of Elliot Anderson is they look at Declan Rice, they look at Caicedo, they look at Enzo Fernandez and the price of those players, it was three figures. And Forest won't want to lose him. So, I guess they said this is the fee, if you want to pay it, you pay it.

There are not many teams in world football that can pay that. Man City can. but he's a brilliant talent. He's had a great season, and I understand why they need him so much and want him so much.

It is an incredible amount of money for Mateus Fernandes

Man United are always going to be a pull because of their history, but Arsenal have just won the Premier League, and they got to the Champions League final so they'll be in the hunt for some big players. Mateus Fernandes is a really good player but it's an incredible amount of money.

I don't think he'll be the last one out of West Ham.

I am not surprised that Diomande and Barcola are being linked with Liverpool

Liverpool are going to have to go again in the transfer market. Mo Salah's gone, so they clearly need someone to replace him. They've also got Ngumoha, who's obviously a great talent, but for the future.

So, Liverpool need several players, I think, if they want to compete again at the very top. And certainly, in wide positions they're going to have to strengthen. I'm not surprised with who they're being linked with like Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola.

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