The countdown is on as Steve Clarke prepares to name his Scotland squad for the World Cup, with plenty to weigh up after home defeats to Japan (players booed off) and the Ivory Coast. Clarke will name a 55-man provisional pool before finalising a 26-man squad by the end of May as Scotland return to a World Cup for the first time since 1998. There is a core group likely to be selected, but several places are genuinely in doubt and Clarke has hinted there may even be room for “an outsider.”
Scotland’s World Cup Group C games
– Haiti vs Scotland – June 14, Boston, 2am (UK time)
– Scotland vs Morocco – June 19, Boston, 11pm (UK time)
– Scotland vs Brazil – June 24, Miami, 11pm (UK time)
The goalkeeper conundrum
Deciding a No.1 remains unresolved. Since Euro 2024 six different keepers have been used, and the two most frequent choices are currently short on club minutes.
Scotland appearances since Euro 2024
– Angus Gunn – 8
– Craig Gordon – 8
– Liam Kelly – 1
– Scott Bain – 1
– Ross Doohan – 1
– Cieran Slicker – 1
Angus Gunn started Euro 2024 group games and began the Nations League and World Cup qualifying campaigns but has been hampered by injuries and has only played 45 minutes for Nottingham Forest this season. Craig Gordon (43) has been Clarke’s fallback in Gunn’s absences but has also had limited club action due to shoulder problems and competition at Hearts. Scott Bain is the only keeper among the recent options playing regularly; after leaving Celtic for Falkirk he has featured almost every week and made his first Scotland appearance in seven years against the Ivory Coast. Liam Kelly, second-choice at Rangers, has also featured, while Cieran Slicker and Ross Doohan are unlikely to be recalled. Clarke must decide between match sharpness and experience when naming two or three keepers.
Defensive dilemmas
The defensive unit looks broadly settled on paper. Captain Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, John Souttar, Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry featured in every qualifying squad and would be expected to travel. Brentford’s Aaron Hickey should be included if fully recovered from the injury that kept him out of the March camp. Grant Hanley, 34, despite limited club action since February because of injury, was in every qualifying squad and brings experience Clarke values.
Other options in the mix include Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City) and Dom Hyam (Wrexham), who all featured in warm-ups, plus earlier-callup defenders Josh Doig (Sassuolo) and Max Johnston (Derby) who could force their way back in. Hearts’ strong domestic form means Craig Halkett, Stuart Findlay and Harry Milne might press for selection, and Clarke must balance current club form with continuity and tournament experience.
Midfield consistency
Midfield is Scotland’s strongest area and most likely to be consistent. Scott McTominay’s form — and that famous overhead kick against Denmark — mean he is automatic selection, while John McGinn remains a talisman. If fit, the eight players who featured in every qualifying squad should be strong contenders: McTominay, McGinn, Billy Gilmour, Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon-Doak, Kenny McLean and others who were consistently selected.
Ben Gannon-Doak is working back from a long-term injury and missed the Japan and Ivory Coast camps; Clarke will hope the 19-year-old is fully fit. Clarke believes loaned Rangers youngster Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock) can offer something similar to Gannon-Doak and the surprise call to the March camp gives him a chance to impress further. Andy Irving (Sparta Prague) returned to the squad in March and will push for inclusion, while Hibernian’s Josh Mulligan and Rangers’ Connor Barron are also in consideration. Clarke’s choices will hinge on fitness, form and the balance between creativity, engine and tactical fit.
Striker selection and attacking questions
The forward line presents Clarke’s biggest selection headache. Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes have been the manager’s go-to strikers and are almost guaranteed spots, but neither offers prolific international returns: Dykes has one goal in 14 appearances since his return from injury; Adams has four goals in 27 Scotland games, although he has been scoring regularly enough for Torino this season.
Lawrence Shankland is a ready-made goalscorer if fully fit. The Hearts captain missed March warm-ups with a hamstring strain but had 11 goals and three assists in 21 games before the injury; if he rediscovers that form he would be an obvious pick. Ipswich’s George Hirst, included in the last four squads and a nine-goal Championship contributor, looks likely to take a fourth front‑line spot. Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), who has eight Championship goals, started against Japan and came off the bench against the Ivory Coast and will contest one of the remaining places.
Kieron Bowie, now in Serie A with Hellas Verona, has not featured recently but could push his case with strong club performances, while Oli McBurnie, who has 13 goals for Hull this season but last played for Scotland in 2021, offers another option. Clarke must decide how many specialist strikers to take, whether to include versatile attackers who can play wide or as No.9, and whether to prioritise form over past international chemistry.
Other selection considerations
– Fitness vs experience: Several veterans have limited club action due to injuries but bring experience at tournament level; Clarke must judge readiness and squad balance.
– Versatility: Players who can cover multiple positions are valuable in a 26-man squad.
– Young prospects: Clarke has hinted at room for an outsider and younger players like Findlay Curtis or returning injured youngsters could be included if they show form and fitness.
– Tactical needs: Opponents in Group C — Haiti, Morocco and Brazil — require tactical flexibility; Clarke will weigh personnel who can execute different game plans.
Scotland are World Cup-bound and the aim is more than participation; progression from the group is the target. Clarke’s final 26 will need the right mix of experience, form, fitness and tactical suitability to give the Tartan Army hope and expectation in North America.