WE'VE HIT MOROC BOTTOM

Gallacher says Scots' Hungary flop will sting for years... just like our 1998 disaster v Africans | He reveals we took it too easy in France but Germany KO was down to players not turning up

- FRASER WILSON

KEVIN GALLACHER still can't shake the regret of Scotland's World Cup group stage flop against Morocco despite 26 years having passed since that shocker in Saint-Etienne.

And the Hampden Hall of Famer fears that same bitter feeling is set to consume Steve Clarke plus his players for the next few months, at least, after the latest early exit from a tournament left the nation with an all too familiar sickly sensation.

Gallacher a veteran of two Euros and that World Cup in France - believes this was our best chance ever to make history and qualify for the knockout stages.

He insists we do have the players capable of taking the next step."

But the former Dundee United, Blackburn and Newcastle striker reckons a combination of stage fright and an overly cautious approach has left the squad with a head full of what ifs.

Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Hungary, which saw Scotland bow out with a whimper, fell on the 26th anniversary of that 3-0 Morocco mauling that also saw Tartan Army cheers turn to tears.

And speaking to Record Sport, Gallacher said: "There are always regrets when you get knocked out at the group stage. I still hold regrets from 1998 and that game against Morocco.

"We took it too easy, we thought Morocco were going to be an easy side. But they weren't and we got battered.

"You have to live with that regret, take it on the chin and move on.

"Sunday was different they didn't underestimate Hungary but they still never performed to their levels.