Robertson Jokes Tartan Army Could "Drink Miami Dry"

MIAMI — Scotland have given their fans plenty to celebrate off the pitch at this World Cup. On Wednesday, captain Andy Robertson is determined to give them something even bigger to toast on it. Ahead of a daunting Group C finale against Brazil, the Scotland skipper struck a characteristically cheerful note about what victory might unleash among the travelling support. Robertson said Scotland would be doing everything in their power to give their Tartan Army of fans good reason to drink Miami dry after the clash against the five-times world champions.

The line was delivered with a grin, but the sentiment behind it was sincere. Scotland's supporters have been one of the stories of the tournament, and their captain wants to reward them with a result that would rewrite the nation's history.

A fanbase that's stolen the show

Wherever Scotland have gone, their fans have turned host cities into a party — and emptied a fair few kegs along the way. Returning to football's showpiece for the first time in 28 years, Scotland's fans have been one of the hits of the tournament, with locals embracing their distinctive approach to supporting their team.

Their thirst is no exaggeration. Bars in Boston, where the Scots played their first two games, reported being close to running out of beer last week, and Robertson thought supplies in Miami could be similarly tested if Scotland upset Brazil and qualified for the round of 32. The numbers behind the Boston invasion were staggering. The Samuel Adams taproom alone emptied nearly 90 kegs and sold around 4,000 pints over a single weekend.

The roadshow has carried that same energy south. The Tartan Army's festive presence has become a cultural highlight, with thousands marching through Miami's Little Havana, drawing local affection for their songs, bagpipes and contagious spirit.

Robertson has clearly relished watching it unfold. "I think you've seen how much the whole city of Boston fell in love with the Tartan Army, and I think they're gutted now that they've left," he said. "Now obviously they come down to Miami and try and make the same impact, and I think they've had that same impact." 

Cautious optimism against the favourites

For all the levity about the celebrations, Robertson was careful not to get ahead of himself about the football. He spent much of his press conference talking up the quality of the opposition rather than predicting a famous win. The history weighs heavily: Scotland have never beaten Brazil at a World Cup in five previous attempts.

His framing of any potential party was deliberately understated. "Come tomorrow night, if we manage to beat Brazil, then I'm sure maybe a couple of beers will be drank by the Tartan Army, that's for sure," he said with a smile. “But that's what we hope, because we want to give them something to shout about.”

He was equally clear that the job remains formidable. "I think the whole of the Tartan Army want that, and that would be something to celebrate, but we're a long way off that sitting here just now," Robertson said.

History on the line

The reason the stakes are so high is simple: Scotland have never made it out of a World Cup group, and this is their best chance yet to break that duck. Steve Clarke's side have taken three points from their opening two matches, beating Haiti 1-0 before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Morocco, and a positive result against Brazil could secure a historic first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds.

The permutations give them genuine hope. A victory over Brazil would guarantee a top-two finish, while even a draw could prove enough to secure qualification via one of the eight best third-place berths in the expanded format. They can count themselves unlucky to be in this position at all. Scotland were arguably unfortunate not to take something from the Morocco game, producing a spirited display despite conceding inside the opening two minutes.

A Brazil side chasing top spot

Standing in their way is a Brazilian team that has rediscovered its rhythm and has little to fear. Brazil enter the match already on four points and all but through, with Carlo Ancelotti's side aiming to top the group ahead of the knockout rounds.

There are, however, slivers of encouragement for the Scots. Brazil have suffered a setback with Raphinha ruled out after a hamstring injury against Haiti, with teenage winger Rayan expected to replace him, while Neymar has returned to fitness but is not expected to start. Scotland's plan will be built on familiar foundations. Roared on by a huge travelling support in Miami, they will throw everything at it behind Scott McTominay and John McGinn, with Robertson driving forward from left-back and set pieces a key avenue.

The danger, as ever against the Seleção, is the space left at the back. Brazil can control the game through Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães and pick Scotland apart if the Scots over-commit, but they have no choice other than to go for it.

Everything to play for

It all sets up one of the more compelling nights of the group stage: a Scotland side on the cusp of history, a Brazil team chasing momentum, and a sea of tartan in the stands ready to celebrate like never before. Robertson knows the romance of the occasion, but he also knows the size of the task.

If his players can pull off the upset, the captain's joke about Miami's beer supply might just become a logistical reality. For now, Scotland's focus is on the 90 minutes that could finally take them where they have never been — and give the Tartan Army the mother of all reasons to raise a glass.