As the Scotland squad gears up for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Poland and Portugal, the team’s coach, Steve Clarke, is faced with a daunting task of selecting a team that can deliver results. With several key players injured, without a club, or struggling to find form, Clarke’s job has just gotten a lot tougher. The squad that he will announce on Tuesday could be his least predictable since he took charge five years ago.
The recent Euro 2024 squad saw several players struggling to make an impact, and with the tournament now behind them, Clarke will be looking to make some changes to the team. One of the key areas of concern is the goalkeeping position, where Angus Gunn has established himself as the number one choice. However, the understudies for Gunn are still unclear, with Craig Gordon, Robby McCrorie, and Liam Kelly all vying for a spot.
Clarke has often voiced his preference to pick players who are starting for their clubs, which could see Gordon, who has 75 caps for Scotland, being overlooked. However, Gordon’s experience and leadership qualities make him a strong contender for a recall. Meanwhile, McCrorie and Kelly will be hoping to impress Clarke with their performances for Kilmarnock and Motherwell, respectively.
Defensive Concerns for Scotland
The defensive department is another area where Scotland is struggling, with several key players injured or without a club. Anthony Ralston could be Scotland’s only recognized right-back, with Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey still to feature this season following injury. Ryan Porteous came on for the final 15 minutes with Watford, but Grant Hanley was an unused substitute for Norwich, while Jack Hendry missed Al Ettifaq’s Saudi league opener with a minor knock.
Centre-half Scott McKenna, now of Las Palmas, and left-backs Andy Robertson and Greg Taylor are the only defenders from the Euro 2024 squad who started for their clubs at the weekend. Liam Cooper, who has been without a club since leaving Leeds United, is now near to finding a new club, but it remains to be seen if he will be considered for the Scotland squad.
Kieran Tierney continues his journey back from his latest injury problem, but it is unlikely that he will be considered for the upcoming matches. John Souttar, who missed out on the Euro finals, could be back in the frame, given the number of absentees in the defensive department.
Midfield Conundrum for Clarke
The midfield department is another area where Scotland is struggling, with several key players injured or without a club. Celtic captain Callum McGregor has called time on his international career, while Ryan Jack and Stuart Armstrong are still without a club following exits from Rangers and Southampton, respectively.
John McGinn and Ryan Christie both played three-quarters of weekend Premier League games for Aston Villa and Bournemouth, while Kenny McLean is now captaining Norwich. Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay have impressed enough to attract reported interest from Napoli, despite being in and out of the starting line-ups at Brighton and Manchester United.
Ryan Gauld’s acclaimed performances for Vancouver Whitecaps could finally be recognized, although he would be competing with McGinn and Christie for the coveted number 10 role. Connor Barron cemented a starting place with Rangers following his move from Aberdeen, and he could be considered for the Scotland squad.
Wingers Could Be Introduced to the Formation
Clarke has often been criticized for not using wingers in his formation, but with veteran James Forrest continuing his fine form with Celtic and former club-mate Lewis Morgan starting regularly with New York, he may consider introducing wingers to his formation.
Forrest’s experience and skill on the wing could be invaluable to Scotland, while Morgan’s pace and trickery could cause problems for opposing defenders. The introduction of wingers could also provide more width to the team and create more scoring opportunities.
Options Up Front
The striking department is another area where Scotland is struggling, with several key players injured or without a club. Che Adams has hit the ground running after his switch from Southampton, scoring in his first start as Torino beat Atalanta 2-1.
Tommy Conway’s stoppage-time penalty secured Middlesbrough’s 2-2 draw with Portsmouth, while Lyndon Dykes came on as a substitute to rescue a point for Queens Park Rangers against Sheffield United. However, Dykes was then dropped this weekend amid talk that he is leaving the Championship club.
Lawrence Shankland built on his experience in Germany by looking a class apart in Hearts’ pre-season friendlies, but he has failed to score in five competitive outings since. Kevin Nisbet says a Scotland recall is behind his escape from Millwall, but he will need more than one substitute appearance on loan to Aberdeen to revive his fortunes.
What Now for Clarke?
As Clarke prepares to announce his squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header, he will be aware of the challenges that lie ahead. With several key players injured or without a club, he will need to make some tough decisions to select a team that can deliver results.
The Scotland squad has been struggling in recent times, and Clarke will be under pressure to turn things around. However, with the right team selection and tactics, Scotland can still achieve their goals and make a strong impression in the Nations League.
Clarke will be hoping that his players can rise to the challenge and deliver the results that the fans are expecting. With the squad announcement just around the corner, all eyes will be on Clarke to see how he will shape his team for the upcoming matches.