World Cup: Scotland fans came for the party but wanted something else - unlike the SFA

Recriminations aplenty for seemingly the umpteenth time - despite the nation’s 28-year absence from the global showpiece. Although on this occasion, it’s not quite over yet.

It probably will be. Scotland are clinging to the hope (with a small 'h') of progressing as one of eight best third-placed sides on goal difference.

The Tartan Army and all their admirable supporters whose presence has lit up a football festival many times over may have to wait until Sunday to find out whether the nation will reach the knockouts for the first time.

It’s the equivalent of being in the departure lounge, but with the gate number not quite called.

The next few days will revolve around the Scots keeping tabs on the third-place tracker. Each goal conceded to Brazil in a thoroughly self-inflicted 3-0 reverse lengthened the odds. South Africa’s victory was an additional wound following Scotland's final group game in Miami.

Scotland need a snooker or three to make it and big favours from elsewhere. Unfortunately, they don’t have safety experts like Mark Selby, Ronnie O’Sullivan or John Higgins.

If Scotland somehow make history and reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, it would be a Pyrrhic victory.

Three points from three games with a minus-three goal difference and just seven shots on target..

On a human level, few would begrudge the Tartan Army having another day out.

But a team advancing to the last 32 after scoring fewer goals than Qatar, Haiti, Paraguay, New Zealand, Cape Verde and Jordan would ridicule the controversial decision to add an extra knock-out round.

Scotland know a fair bit about tough tournaments. This one is right up there. A defensive shambles against Brazil, they also offered next to nothing in attack, as they didn’t versus Haiti or Morocco.

Aside from workaholic midfielder Lewis Ferguson - who plays far away from the SPL in Bologna - no-one added to their reputation. A deflected John McGinn shot in the narrow win over Haiti provided the sole moment of on-pitch joy.

On a hot and sticky night in Florida, emotions were understandably running high among those who care passionately about Scottish football - a nation which has historically contributed much to the beautiful game and provided names to conjure.

It saw ex-Scotland international Neil McCann clash over the airwaves with a well-respected national team observer in broadcaster Tom English.

English said Scotland were not good enough technically or creatively to compete at World Cup level. McCann labelled his BBC colleague as ‘out of order’.

Willie Miller acted as a peacemaker and how Scotland wished they still had someone of his calibre at centre-half after schoolboy mistakes against Brazil.

The main target for Scotland fans' ire afterwards was Steve Clarke with his tactics and selection coming under-fire.

While his record for getting the national team to tournaments is a good one - albeit assisted by qualification being made easier by expansion - that's where it ends. In nine tournament games under Clarke, Scotland have won just once.

The game which hurt the Scots - not for the first time - was against group minnows. For Haiti 2026, read Zaire 1974, Iran 1978, New Zealand 1982 and Costa Rica 1990.

Clarke and his players must shoulder blame. A bigger picture remains and it took an Englishman in Ian Wright to truly resonate with fans.

He said that those running Scottish football have short-changed fans by lacking the wherewithal to grow the game, especially in comparison to similarly sized nations like Norway.

The Tartan Army take great delight in their "No Scotland, no party" leitmotif. What they really craved in North America was tournament progression and some on-pitch light.

Maybe the SFA were the ones just happy to be at the World Cup party, considering it had been such a long time between drinks.