The countdown is on as Steve Clarke prepares a provisional 55‑man pool and a final 26‑player squad by the end of May for Scotland’s return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Home friendly defeats to Japan (players were booed off) and the Ivory Coast have left several selection questions unresolved. While a core group looks certain to travel, a number of spots are genuinely up for grabs and Clarke has suggested there may be room for “an outsider.”
Scotland’s World Cup Group C fixtures
– Haiti v Scotland — 14 June, Boston, 02:00 UK time
– Scotland v Morocco — 19 June, Boston, 23:00 UK time
– Scotland v Brazil — 24 June, Miami, 23:00 UK time
Goalkeeping conundrum
The No.1 shirt is still unsettled. Since Euro 2024 Clarke has used six different goalkeepers; Angus Gunn and Craig Gordon are the two most-capped choices but both lack regular club minutes.
– Angus Gunn — 8 appearances since Euro 2024. Started Euro group games and early qualifying but has been blighted by injury and has only played 45 minutes for Nottingham Forest this season.
– Craig Gordon (43) — 8 appearances since Euro 2024. Clarke’s dependable backup when Gunn has been out but again limited by shoulder problems and club competition at Hearts.
– Liam Kelly — 1 appearance; Rangers’ second choice but has featured intermittently.
– Scott Bain — 1 appearance; now playing regularly after leaving Celtic for Falkirk and made his first Scotland appearance in seven years against the Ivory Coast.
– Ross Doohan — 1 appearance.
– Cieran Slicker — 1 appearance.
Clarke faces a classic selection trade-off: pick the most experienced pair or prioritise match sharpness. The final plan will likely be two or three keepers with a mix of tournament calm and recent minutes.
Defensive choices
On paper the back line is the most settled area. Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, John Souttar, Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry have been present in every qualifying squad and are expected to be strong contenders. Brentford’s Aaron Hickey should be included if he proves fully recovered from the injury that ruled him out of March’s camp.
Veteran centre‑back Grant Hanley (34) remains in Clarke’s thinking despite sporadic club action since February — his tournament experience counts heavily. Other options who could push for places include Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), and earlier-callup defenders Josh Doig (Sassuolo) and Max Johnston (Derby). Strong domestic form at Hearts means Craig Halkett, Stuart Findlay and Harry Milne might press their case. Clarke will need to weigh continuity and tournament know‑how against recent club form and versatility.
Midfield consistency
Midfield looks like Scotland’s strongest, most dependable area. Scott McTominay’s return to form — capped by that famous overhead kick against Denmark — makes him an automatic pick, and John McGinn remains a central talisman.
The players who featured in every qualifying squad (including McTominay, McGinn, Billy Gilmour, Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon‑Doak and Kenny McLean) are expected to form the spine if fit. Ben Gannon‑Doak is recovering from a long‑term injury and missed the Japan and Ivory Coast camps; Clarke will want him fully fit before committing. Loaned Rangers youngster Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock) and Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), who returned in March, are among the younger options pushing for selection. Hibernian’s Josh Mulligan and Rangers’ Connor Barron are also in the mix. Ultimately Clarke must balance fitness, form and how each player fits his tactical plans — creativity, work rate and defensive cover are all considerations.
Striker and attacking dilemmas
Selecting the forward line may prove Clarke’s biggest headache. Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes have been the manager’s preferred front pair and look near‑certainties, but neither is a prolific scorer for Scotland: Dykes has one goal in 14 appearances since his return from injury and Adams four goals in 27 caps, despite better club returns for Torino.
Lawrence Shankland is an obvious option when fit — the Hearts captain had 11 goals and three assists in 21 games before a hamstring problem kept him out of March. George Hirst (Ipswich) has been involved in recent squads and contributed nine Championship goals this season, making him a likely choice for a fourth forward spot. Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) has eight Championship goals and has featured off the bench in recent friendlies. Kieron Bowie (Hellas Verona) hasn’t played for Scotland recently but could force his way in with strong club form, while Oli McBurnie (13 goals for Hull this season, last capped in 2021) offers another proven goalscorer option.
Clarke must decide how many specialist strikers to bring, whether to favour versatile forwards who can play wide or as a No.9, and whether to prioritise current club form or established international partnerships.
Other considerations
– Fitness vs experience: Several veterans have limited club minutes because of injury but provide tournament experience; Clarke will judge readiness and squad balance.
– Versatility: Players able to cover multiple positions will be especially valuable in a 26‑man squad.
– Youth and outsiders: Clarke has hinted at room for an outsider; young talents or returning injured players could be included if they show form and fitness.
– Tactical matchups: Opponents in Group C — Haiti, Morocco and Brazil — demand flexibility; personnel choices will reflect the need for different game plans.
The objective is clear: more than just participation. Scotland’s goal is to progress from the group, and Clarke’s final 26 must combine experience, fitness, form and tactical suitability to give the Tartan Army genuine hope in North America.