Steve Clarke believes a huge weight has been lifted off Scotland's shoulders after they kick-started their World Cup campaign by beating Haiti.

John McGinn's deflected strike saw Scotland claim a 1-0 win in their first World Cup game since 1998.

With Brazil and Morocco drawing 1-1, Scotland moved top of Group C, and with the eight best third-place teams making it through to the round of 32, Clarke's men are already on the verge of history.

In eight previous appearances at the World Cup, Scotland have never progressed beyond the group stage.

Scotland won their opening match at the World Cup for the third time (also 1974 and 1982). Coincidentally, all three times they won their first match they were top of the group after one matchday with all three groups also featuring Brazil.

And with Morocco and Brazil still to come, Clarke told BBC Sport: "Everyone said [this game was a] must-win. We won the game.

"That's what this team is all about. They can play, but if they have to dig in, they do that as well. Defensively outstanding."

Speaking to reporters, Clarke added: "I'm absolutely delighted with my players - the resilience and character from them.

"This group of players have spoken about it many, many times. They showed their experience tonight. They deserve it.

"They've been so good for the nation over the last seven years and they deserve to be a team that's got a win at a World Cup. I'm delighted for them.

"Our next two games are against teams in the world top 10, they're tough games. So we'll go into those games with less pressure than what people put on us heading into this game.

"We'll have a little bit less pressure on us. If we defend as well as we did today, show the same resilience, I think we can be a bit better on the ball, we'll be OK."

This was Scotland’s fifth World Cup win, their first since a 2-1 win over Sweden in 1990.

Scotland have kept a clean sheet for the fourth time in a World Cup match (W2 D2) – three of them were against opponents from the Americas, including today’s 1-0 win over Haiti and 0-0 draws against Uruguay in 1986 and Brazil in 1974.

"It's crazy. It wasn't my best of goals but who cares. Haiti are a decent team by the way. We had to work hard for it," Scotland hero McGinn told BBC Sport.

"Could we play a bit better? Aye. But it was a must-win game and we won."

At 31 years, 238 days old, McGinn is the oldest player to score for Scotland at the World Cup, surpassing Kenny Dalglish (31y 103d v New Zealand in 1982).

Andy Robertson, meanwhile, led Scotland in touches (68), passes in the final third (18) and line-breaking passes in the final third (six).

"It's not easy to win at the World Cup. People can say we were favourites, but you've got to do it," Robertson told ITV Sport.

"We were good until the goal, but then you perhaps saw us realise we've not been in this position before.

"We've just been out and achieved our dream. That's something special. Singing the national anthem with 25 of our mates, it's a dream come true.

"It's a special feeling to have that and following it with a win makes it even more special. There'll be so many kids back home dreaming to be where we are. It takes so much hard work. All of the lads worked so hard. I couldn't be happier for all of them."