For the first time in almost three decades, a Scotland manager will today announce his squad for the World Cup Finals.
With just 25 days to go until the Group C campaign kicks off against Haiti in Boston, Steve Clarke will reveal the 26 men he believes can take the nation beyond the group stage of a major tournament for the first time.
Pulling rabbits out of hats has seldom been Clarke’s modus operandi throughout his seven years in the job. His loyalty to an established core of players means there are unlikely to be any major surprises when he reveals his list.
Yet while Clarke recently stated he was ‘more or less’ settled on his choices, he also revealed he was still mulling over a couple of inclusions.
So, who are the stick-ons for a seat on the plane to the USA, who may be set to face disappointment today and who might just sneak in at the last minute?
Steve Clarke will today become the first Scotland boss for 28 years to name a World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
Not so long ago, this was a position where Scotland enjoyed an embarrassment of riches when Craig Gordon, Allan McGregor and David Marshall were challenging for the No 1 jersey.
Not any longer, sadly. Gordon is still around and even at the age of 43 would be widely regarded as the country’s top keeper when fully fit.
The Hearts veteran has not played since January, however, because of a shoulder injury. He has returned to training in the past few weeks and will hope for the opportunity to add to his 83 caps.
Angus Gunn has played just 45 minutes of football for Nottingham Forest this season but has consistently retained Clarke’s faith and will almost certainly be included.
Craig Gordon is fit again and looks the best bet to take the gloves for Scotland this summer
The third keeper’s slot looks like a straight choice between Falkirk’s Scott Bain, who missed the end of the domestic campaign with an ankle injury, and Rangers’ back-up Liam Kelly. Both played 45 minutes of the March friendly against Ivory Coast.
Defenders
Scotland have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last six matches but defence is an area where Clarke is set to stick with his tried and trusted players.
In the full-back positions, captain Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney will both be among the first names Clarke writes down, with the Celtic man also able to operate as a left-sided central defender in a back three.
Aaron Hickey missed the March friendlies because of a hamstring injury but has returned to action with Brentford this month. Nathan Patterson has continued to struggle for game time at Everton but the right-back has a consistent admirer in Clarke.
Likewise, Tony Ralston has seldom let Clarke down when called upon despite becoming a fringe player at Celtic this season.
Scott McKenna has had a fine season at Dinamo Zagreb and is a good bet to start at the back
In central defence, the knee injury which forced Grant Hanley to limp out of Hibs’ last game of the season on Saturday may cast some doubt over his inclusion.
Scott McKenna, a double winner in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb, can confidently expect a call-up while both John Souttar of Rangers and Saudi-based Jack Hendry are likely to be on the list.
Outside contenders include Wrexham’s Dom Hyam and Bristol City’s Ross McCrorie, who were both assessed by Clarke in the March friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast.
Midfielders
The strongest area of Clarke’s squad is certainly midfield where, hearteningly, many of his key players have been in fine form for their clubs recently.
John McGinn is enjoying a purple patch at Aston Villa and will hope to be reporting for Scotland duty as a Europa League winner after Unai Emery’s side face Freiburg in the final in Istanbul tomorrow night.
Scott McTominay, a talismanic figure for Clarke’s Scotland, continues to excel with Napoli and scored his 14th goal of the season in their 3-0 win over Pisa on Sunday which clinched Champions League qualification.
Scott McTominay and Kieran Tierney are squad stalwarts and will be on the plane to the States
Ryan Christie has been a mainstay in a Bournemouth side pursuing a top six finish in the Premier League, while Kenny McLean was named Player of the Year with Norwich City in the Championship.
McTominay’s club mate Billy Gilmour and Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson are also now staples in Clarke’s set-up.
Another Serie A-based player, Lennon Miller of Udinese, didn’t make it off the subs’ bench in either of Scotland’s March friendlies but can remain hopeful of inclusion.
Bournemouth’s Ben Gannon-Doak has shown he can be a genuine impact player for Scotland and the 20-year-old wide man’s recent return from injury would be welcomed by Clarke.
Those hovering on the cut-off point for the midfield slots include Sparta Prague’s Andy Irving and Rangers’ Connor Barron.
Strikers
In a cruel blow to Tommy Conway, Clarke was left with one less striking option last week when the Middlesbrough striker suffered an ankle injury which will require surgery and rules him out of the World Cup.
The 23-year-old featured in both of Scotland’s March friendlies and a run of five goals in his last eight games of the season with his club had made him strongly fancied for another call-up.
Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway has been in fine form but injury will rule him out
At least two players are pretty much nailed on for the forward positions. While neither Lyndon Dykes of Charlton Athletic or Che Adams of Torino are prolific scorers, they are both highly valued by Clarke for their ability to fit into his tactical set-up.
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland, whose crucial tap-in was overshadowed by the more spectacular goals in Scotland’s epic 4-2 qualifying win over Denmark in November, ended the season in form for the Gorgie side and should be on the plane.
Likewise, George Hirst concluded his domestic campaign impressively as he helped Ipswich Town seal promotion to the Premier League and has shown enough promise in his Scotland outings so far to merit a place.
The injury to Conway could open the door to Kieron Bowie, who scored his fourth goal for Verona in their 1-1 draw at Inter Milan on Sunday. The former Hibs striker hasn’t featured for Scotland since last October but is a strong contender.
Ross Stewart and Oli McBurnie have both pushed their claims with strong seasons in the Championship for Southampton and Hull City respectively but neither have appeared to be on Clarke’s radar for some time.
If there is to be a selection which goes against the grain of Clarke’s general policy of sticking by experience, it may come in the shape of Findlay Curtis.
Hellas Verona striker Kieron Bowie now has four Serie A goals and could be an interesting pick
The 19-year-old Rangers player was certainly the most eyebrow-raising name in the last Scotland squad when he made his debut as a late sub in the 1-0 defeat against Japan at Hampden.
Curtis has enjoyed a highly profitable loan spell at Kilmarnock where he scored four goals in their last four games to help them preserve their Premiership status. He may just have timed his run perfectly for a fairytale trip to the World Cup Finals.
Possible Scotland World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Scott Bain (Falkirk).
Defenders: Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), John Souttar (Rangers), Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al-Etttifaq), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Tony Ralston (Celtic).
Midfielders: John McGinn (Aston Villa), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth).
Forwards: Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), Che Adams (Torino), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), George Hirst (Ipswich Town), Kieron Bowie (Verona), Findlay Curtis (Rangers).
