Steve Clarke's final opportunities to fine-tune his Scotland squad ahead of this summer's World Cup are quickly running out. Successive 1-0 friendly defeats to Japan and Ivory Coast served as a crucial testing ground for fringe players, but few managed to force their way into the manager's immediate plans.
While the core leadership group—including Napoli's Scott McTominay, Aston Villa's John McGinn, and captain Andy Robertson—already have their tickets punched for the tournament opener against Haiti on June 14, the battle for the remaining roster spots remains fiercely contested. With only a single May fixture against Curacao remaining, several players experienced wildly differing fortunes over the recent international break.
Defensive Adjustments and Shifting Hierarchies
Clarke used the double-header to experiment with his backline, deploying two distinct tactical shapes. Against Japan, a traditional back four featured Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna in the center. Despite the team being largely outplayed at Hampden, the duo demonstrated vital pace and handled aerial threats effectively.
The system shifted to a back three against Ivory Coast, with John Souttar and Dominic Hyam slotting in alongside Kieran Tierney. Hyam enjoyed a quietly solid first start for the national side, while Souttar distinguished himself with a crucial defensive block.
Out wide, the performances were a mixed bag. Ross McCrorie handled his right wing-back duties competently against the Ivorians, contrasting with Nathan Patterson, who looked noticeably rusty in his start against Japan. Celtic's Anthony Ralston earned a brief cameo, but his lack of club minutes keeps his international status precarious. Perhaps most surprisingly, Clarke stalwart Grant Hanley didn't play a single minute across both matches, sparking speculation about his place in the pecking order.
The Goalkeeping Conundrum
While Angus Gunn cemented his status as the undisputed number one with a full shift against Japan, the backup positions are suddenly looking highly competitive.
The Ivory Coast fixture saw Rangers' Liam Kelly and Falkirk's Scott Bain split duties between the posts. Kelly's stock took a hit after he hesitated on the decisive goal, leaving the door open for his rival. Bain seized the opportunity, producing a spectacular late save to deny Manchester United's Amad Diallo. Assuming veteran Craig Gordon is fit enough to claim the secondary role in the United States, Bain's standout half may have just vaulted him ahead of Kelly for the third and final goalkeeping spot.
Blunt Attacks and Sidelined Youth
Despite the invaluable chance to experiment, the break left fans wanting more in the offensive third. Scotland's strikers failed to find the back of the net over 180 minutes of football.
Furthermore, an injection of youthful energy never materialized. The highly anticipated inclusion of Kilmarnock's teenage winger Findlay Curtis—on loan from Rangers—ultimately resulted in the youngster being starved of meaningful match minutes, leaving Clarke with familiar attacking dilemmas to solve before the flight to the US.