Back when Kenny McClean put the cherry on the cake of Scotland’s dramatic playoff win against Denmark in November, the concept of this game was a cause for wild celebration, but now, facing World Cup minnows Haiti, this game represents opportunity. A win, especially one by a convincing scoreline, will go a long way to ensuring Scotland get the group stage-shaped monkey off their back.

There will be nerves among the Tartan Army in Foxborough and those watching from afar, but the preparations for Steve Clarke’s side have gone very well. Eight goals scored against in warmup games against Bolivia and Curaçao, one conceded, crucially Scott McTominay has gotten over a tummy ache to ensure his manager has a full complement to choose from. McTominay’s new advert with Adidas is also a triumph and these are the things that really matter in setting ‘the vibe’.

More seriously, the makeup of the forward line is the big pre-match question for Clarke. Lawrence Shankland has been in hot form and Ché Adams did well alongside the new Rangers striker against Bolivia. Given the opportunity against Haiti, fielding a similarly attacking side to the XI that started in New Jersey could be a risk worth taking.

Haiti impressed in their 4-0 against New Zealand but were less hot against Peru, losing 2-1. There chances rest on the ability of Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor and their talisman Duckens Nazon to trouble the Scottish backline when they get a chance on the break.

Team news at 1am BST/8pm EST/10am AEST.