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Scotland arrived at Euro 2024 with more questions than answers swirling around their squad. The team were on a poor run of form, with umpteen players looking jaded. What happened next proved grisly.
While the level of Curaçao and Bolivia – plus the motivational levels of the latter – must be acknowledged, a Scottish side notching eight goals in back-to-back friendlies has altered grey areas for Steve Clarke. Scotland’s picture before Saturday’s World Cup opener against Haiti is now a clearer one. This time, they look far from jaded.
Clarke operated for a lengthy spell with a single centre-forward, typically Ché Adams. The form of Lawrence Shankland, added to a desire to increase Scotland’s potency, has altered that policy. Shankland and Adams combined excellently against Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday, scoring three of Scotland’s four goals. It will be a shock if they are not the chosen two for Haiti.
It is a sign of Shankland’s current touch that during post-match media duties he expressed irritation at not converting a Kieran Tierney chance to put the Scots 5-0 in front. He also pushed back on his status as a guaranteed international starter. “You never assume anything in football,” said the 30-year-old. “What you can do, when you get the opportunity to go on the pitch, is put your best foot forward, and I’ve always said that.
“Every time you go away with Scotland all the boys feel the same. You do your best and you try and get into the manager’s head when he needs to make a decision. That’s all you can do. I’ve always approached it like that and these friendlies have been good for me. I’ve managed to get a few goals and my performances have been decent as well. I’ve been happy with that. In terms of what I can control, yes, I’m pleased with the case I can put forward. But I’ll never, ever, think I’m certain to play.”
Barring any late problems, Aaron Hickey and Andy Robertson will start as full-backs against Haiti. The Bolivia fixture was barely one on which to judge Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry as a central-defensive pairing, or indeed Angus Gunn in goal. Still, they feel like the men in possession of those shirts. Clarke’s biggest conundrum now is how to fit five players – Scott McTominay, Ryan Christie, John McGinn, Lewis Ferguson and Ben Gannon-Doak – into four midfield berths. McTominay is certain to play. Clarke trusts Christie and McGinn. Gannon-Doak’s searing pace is a huge asset. Ferguson’s style, as more of a holder, could be tactically useful.
“I’ve been on the other side of it when you’re disappointed not to play,” said Shankland. “That’s only normal in football. But the togetherness we’ve got in the changing room is something we’ve always had. There’s almost a club feel about it and it’s been that way for the last four or five years.
“There are so many familiar faces with boys who have played together for a long time. Sure, you have your disappointments at times, that’s normal and you’re allowed that as a footballer. But when you get out there, for the next time you’re going to train, then you’re ready to train properly. Everybody has played their part in that throughout the time we’ve been together.
“We go into the first game confident. Our preparation has been good until now and we’ve now got another week to continue that. Look, I was only three the last time we played at a World Cup so it’s been a long time. The excitement among the boys is brilliant.”
Last summer Shankland’s future was uncertain at Hearts after a poor season. He remained in Edinburgh, captaining the club to within inches of a Scottish title win, and this summer took advantage of a clause within his contract to depart for Rangers at the end of the domestic campaign. He admitted to “ups and downs” in recent weeks.
“I’ve not had too much time to overthink everything,” he added. “When you have the buzz of a World Cup to look forward to, as bad as it sounds, you can move quickly. In football you have to move quickly. The game moves on and you have to move with it. Of course there was disappointment there [at not winning the league], but after a few days of being quiet in the house I just had to deal with it and park it.”
Scotland will spend the coming days at their training base in Charlotte before departing for Boston and game one.
