Craig Brown's recollections of Scotland's 1998 World Cup campaign reveal the chaos and charm behind their final appearance at football's biggest stage. The manager, who passed away in 2023, guided Scotland through a tournament that began with a 2-1 loss to Brazil in Paris, where his team faced the world champions in the opening match.

Preparations included bizarre twists - goalkeeper Andy Goram abruptly left camp despite Brown's efforts to persuade him otherwise, while Rod Stewart joined training sessions and Sean Connery phoned the manager. Brown's attention to detail extended to hotel selection in St Remy, where Scotland built their own gym and players specified bedding preferences.

Scotland's campaign ended in disappointment but not disgrace. After losing to Brazil and drawing Norway thanks to Craig Burley's lob, they faced elimination against Morocco. A 2-0 defeat sealed their fate, though Brown noted Scotland dominated possession and statistics. Burley's red card with a bleached haircut became symbolic of their struggles.

That 1998 exit marked Scotland's last World Cup appearance, making Brown's memories particularly poignant. His tactical approach to neutralizing Ronaldo by cutting off Cafu's supply line showed innovation, while the team's spirited performances earned respect despite failing to progress beyond the group stage.