‘I’ve been saying I wanted Brazil – maybe I shouldn’t have’published at 19:43 GMT

19:43 GMT

Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie tells BBC Sportscene: “It’s exciting. A tough group but one we’re looking forward to.

“We have to go over there wanting to try and prove a point. We’re not just there to make up the numbers. We’re wanting to go and compete and get through the group phase.

“Two out of the three games are going to be massively tough and even Haiti, nobody gets to a World Cup without being a decent team. [They are] teams we’re not used to playing.

“You can’t ask for more exciting games. I’m sure me and the rest of the boys are buzzing for it.”

Christie explained he feared he had “jinxed” Scotland’s draw.

“Everybody’s been asking me who I’ve wanted, I’ve been saying Brazil the whole week and then they came out and I thought, maybe I shouldn’t be saying that,” he said in jest.

“Brazil was one of my favourite international teams growing up. Hopefully, we’ll get the chance, myself, to play them next summer.”

Christie featured at the previous two European Championships and was asked what Scotland could do to do better at the World Cup after group-stage exits at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

“Probably head there with a bit more belief,” he replied. “It’s the same core of players that’s managed to qualify for this World Cup. Hopefully, we can go this one step further this time.

“We go into that tournament a little bit as the underdogs. It suits us. Hopefully, these other teams don’t know what to expect and we can surprise them a little bit.”

Ryan ChristieImage source, SNSImage caption,

Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie has 64 Scotland caps