Top News

Roy Keane slams Scotland’s sluggish start against Morocco, says players looked ‘like they were daydreaming’
Rohan Mehta | June 20, 2026 5:42 PM CST

Roy Keane has strongly criticised Scotland’s lacklustre start after they conceded a goal to Morocco just 71 seconds into their second group-stage match at the World Cup, accusing the players of “daydreaming”.

The Scots entered the match full of confidence following their opening victory against Haiti, knowing that another win would mathematically guarantee them a place in the knockout rounds for the first time in their World Cup history. Even a draw would have put them within touching distance of qualification.

However, things went horribly wrong almost immediately. Ismael Saibari took advantage of a defensive lapse from Grant Hanley – who appeared to step up in an attempt to play an offside trap – to latch onto a precise pass from Brahim Diaz and fire the ball past goalkeeper Angus Gunn, leaving Scotland trailing within the first two minutes.

The early goal was the fastest conceded by any team in the tournament so far, a record that Scotland would rather not hold. In ITV’s temporary New York studio, pundits sensed that the Scottish players might have been carried away by the euphoria of their earlier triumph.

“I think the body language of the Scotland players... it’s like they’re daydreaming,” Keane remarked. “There was a big build-up to the game. They weren’t great the other night, but they got the win, and then they start the game like that? It’s like they’re in a jovial mood.”

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou and ex-Scotland striker Duncan Ferguson, who were also in the studio, shared Keane’s disappointment, particularly criticising Hanley’s attempt to spring the offside trap that allowed Saibari through on goal.

Keane continued, “Scotland will be delighted going in at 1-0. They were so poor, though they got a little bit of encouragement towards the end of the first half. But Morocco were a little bit slack with one or two other opportunities, and it could have been a lot worse for Scotland.”

Grant Hanley, the experienced defender, seemed to be the one who played Saibari onside for the opening goal. A brief attacking spell before half-time did offer a glimmer of hope for the Tartan Army that a comeback might be possible in the second half. Nonetheless, the first-half performance left Scotland’s head coach with plenty of issues to address in the dressing room.

“We’re talking about communication and distances,” Keane added, highlighting the team’s defensive disorganisation. “Steve Clarke, no doubt, will be hugely frustrated.”


READ NEXT
Cancel OK