Che Adams confirmed and welcomed a World Cup confidence boost following Scotland’s convincing 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday.
After a 4-1 victory over Curacao at Barclays Hampden last weekend, Steve Clarke’s side were on the goal trail again at the Sports Illustrated stadium in searingly-hot conditions for their final preparatory fixture.
And it all went well for the Scots, who are returning to the big stage for the first time in 28 years. Rangers-bound striker Lawrence Shankland opened the scoring with a fine header in the fifth minute then set up midfielder Scott McTominay for a second, midway through the first half.
Adams got in on the act as the Scots dominated, scoring twice before the break to allow a pressure-free second half.
Despite a host of changes after the break, Scotland remained assured if not as potent and ahead of the World Cup opener against Haiti in Foxborough next Saturday – the Scots’ first game in the World Cup since 1998 – the Torino striker outlined the benefits of the win over the South American side.
“Confidence, confidence going to the next game,” he said. “It’s obviously a big game that’s happening next week, so we need to be ready and we need to be firing on all cylinders.
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“It’s always nice to score. It’s always nice to win, and that’s what we did. The first half was especially difficult, with the weather and sun, but the boys dug deep, and it got easy towards the end.
“So we just have to keep going like that and have as much confidence as we can going into the World Cup. Of course, it’s every striker’s dream to play in the World Cup, let alone for their nation.
“So, as I said, happy to score two goals, happy for the team to win. Hopefully I can get some goals next week if selected.
“But I think it’s nice for the team to have that confidence going into the World Cup.”
Adams maintains Scotland played with the “belief and courage” required by Clarke as they look to get out of the group -which also includes Morocco and Brazil – for the first time.
He added: “Obviously, everyone’s pulling in the right direction and just playing with belief and courage.
“That’s what the gaffer’s told us to do and we did it again.”
