Lyndon Dykes says Scotland are ready to use the criticism which followed a narrow win over Haiti to fuel the push for a place in the last 32 of the World Cup.
Steve Clarke’s team face Morocco in the Boston Stadium late on Friday knowing that a single point will be enough to make history by reaching the second stage of the tournament for the first time ever.
Despite John McGinn’s goal securing a first World Cup finals win since 1990, the Scots faced carping over the performance and lack of control in the game.
Clarke is expected to modify the 4-4-2 formation against Haiti to revert to one striker and Dykes believes the team can confound their doubters by doing something no Scotland team in history has achieved and reaching the last 32.
“Obviously they are a good team and they’re going to have a bit of the ball, the same as Haiti. They had the ball for spells and we had to defend as a team and that’s just the way it is.
“Every game is different. Morocco are going to be dangerous and they are going to be on the front foot, so we need to make sure we are sorted, make sure we are organised. We’ve always been like that against big teams.
“A lot of people on the outside world - or pundits of whatever - they doubt us in certain situations. But we always spin that around and turn up. And we need to make sure we do that on Friday.”
Scotland responded to poor performances results in the opening games of the last two Euro tournaments by securing a point against England, then Switzerland, in the second.
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Asked if some of negativity aimed their way since Haiti can fire the team up Dykes said: “Yeah and I think it should. It certainly does for myself. The way I have come through football I have earned where I’ve got to. It’s been all about hard work.
“I think for Scottish people in general, when people doubt you you want to prove them wrong because we are fighters. We want to go out there and prove everyone wrong.
“We are not going to go out there and just roll over or just take it. We are always going to fight and I think, for everyone, that gives you a burning feeling in your belly.”
Joining Championship strugglers Charlton in January, 30-year-old Dykes scored just three goals, prompting some to call for the recall of Hull City’s Oli McBurnie in his place.
A substitute against Haiti Dykes adds: “There has always been stuff like that and especially because of the recent form of certain players. But, ever since I’ve come into the Scotland camp, people have seen what I’ve given.
“I’m in double figures for goals for Scotland and I think I’ve proven what I can do as I’ve been involved in making tournaments.
“Obviously the manager needs to pick the teams and what he thinks is best. I’m super grateful to him because he’s been my manager since I first came in.
“He was the first manager I spoke to about it when I was at Livingston and he was thinking about calling me up.
“I have always tried to give him my best and he told me, during our very first phone call, that it’s not a given that you’re always going to get called up. You have to make sure you prove it.
“I think I always do that even if some people say I’m not scoring enough goals or things like that. I think I do a lot more in other aspects to help the team out.”
