Games against Iceland and Liechtenstein may lack glamour but they are important to Steve Clarke and Scotland ahead of World Cup qualifying bid
The domestic season is done and dusted but Scotland will be back in action on Friday night when they take on Iceland at Hampden.
For Steve Clarke and his players, it'll be the first of two friendlies, with a visit to Liechtenstein to come on Monday night.
With the World Cup qualifying campaign coming sharply into view in September, Clarke will be looking to experiment with a few players and assess his options throughout his squad.
Here, Mail Sport's Calum Crowe and John McGarry take a look at some of the issues facing the Scotland manager in this double-header and moving forward in the qualifiers.
What's the value in these two games for Steve Clarke? At the end of a long season, do we really need a couple of friendlies?
Calum Crowe: Granted, two games against Iceland and Liechtenstein probably won't set the pulse racing among the Tartan Army. But it's far from a pointless exercise. Scotland need these games to try and rediscover some form heading into the World Cup qualifiers in September. The 3-0 hammering against Greece at Hampden in March was woeful and consigned Scotland to relegation in the Nations League. Given that we play the Greeks again in our World Cup qualifiers, Clarke needs to build some positivity in the camp again. It is a short burst of six games in the space of two months to determine World Cup qualification. This is the last chance to carry some momentum into that campaign.
John McGarry: They certainly aren't the most glamorous fixtures we've ever seen, but they are still a worthwhile exercise. The introduction of the Nations League has been a good thing. The downside is there are now fewer games in which the result isn't all that important. There's scope for Clarke to experiment here. There are seven uncapped players in the squad and others at the outset of the international journeys. That said, the serious business of the World Cup qualifiers starts in Denmark on September 5. The side most likely to play that night would benefit even from playing a half together.
How much of a concern is the goalkeeping situation?
CC: Angus Gunn became a mainstay under Clarke in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 and he served Scotland well. He was the first-choice keeper on merit, but he had a poor Euros and has dropped off. Even by the time he picked up an injury last year, he had already started to make too many mistakes. Out of contract with Norwich, it remains to be seen where he ends up at the start of next season. I've said it consistently over the past couple of years - I believe Craig Gordon is still Scotland's best goalkeeper when he's fit. Even well into his 40s, I would still have him as my No 1. If he gets back fit for Hearts at the start of next season, he should start the World Cup qualifiers. But the lack of options will be a major problem for Scotland beyond that next campaign. After a generation where we were blessed with Gordon, David Marshall and Allan McGregor, we've gone from feast to famine.
JM: It's now the main problem area. Angus Gunn looked like the answer when he first arrived on the scene. Bluntly, he didn't cover himself in glory during the Euros. Finding a new club after leaving Norwich shouldn't be an issue. But if he doesn't go in somewhere as a No1, that will constitute a problem for Clarke. Both Craig Gordon and Liam Kelly are injured. Even at the age of 42, Gordon might be the best bet come the qualifiers, assuming Kelly remains the back-up at Rangers. Cieran Slicker and Robby McCrorie should get at least a half each. The way this is going, they might well be needed in the autumn.
Which players excite you in this squad and who is most deserving of game time?
CC: Lewis Ferguson has to be given a proper run in midfield over these two games. Ferguson has just captained Bologna to Coppa Italia glory and has further cemented his reputation as one of the best midfielders in Serie A. We can't have a player of that quality sitting on the bench any longer. Lennon Miller is another midfield talent who has a long Scotland career ahead of him. It would be good to see him given a chance on the international stage. His comments about being the best player in the squad and the timeline he set himself were perhaps slightly premature, but there's nothing wrong with having confidence and ambition. Max Johnston and Kieron Bowie would be the two others who could spring a surprise if they get a chance.
JM: Kieron Bowie would already have made the step up to the senior team were it not for injury. There's an awful lot to admire about the Hibs forward. He's aggressive, busy in the box, left-footed and can finish. Any centre-back who faces him will know they've been in a game. The door is open for someone to put pressure on Che Adams' position. This should be Bowie's chance.
Should Nathan Patterson or Max Johnston walk into the right-back slot or has Anthony Ralston done enough to continue there?
CC: I don't really see what more Max Johnston can do to catch Clarke's attention. He has gone abroad to Austria, proven himself in a new environment, and has now won back-to-back league titles with Sturm Graz. Why Clarke would persist with Ralston or Patterson, neither of whom are regulars for their clubs, is beyond me. It doesn't send a good message. But a failure to promote young talent quickly enough has, unfortunately, been a recurring theme of Clarke's time in charge of Scotland. Aaron Hickey could well come back into the equation for the World Cup qualifiers, having recently made his return to full training with Brentford after a year on the sidelines. But, for these games, I think Johnston deserves his chance.
JM: Patterson has got a lot to prove, firstly with Everton and then for Scotland. While he's not had his injury troubles to seek since moving south from Rangers, he's not yet developed as a player to the level that was expected. If it was a straight choice between him and Ralston to start in Denmark as things stand, the Celtic man would deservedly keep his place. Johnston's case is different. He's coming off back-to-back titles with Sturm Graz in Austria. He's flying. He's earned a chance to win his second cap.
John Souttar and Grant Hanley were the central defence when we shipped three goals at home to Greece. Should Clarke shake it up?
CC: I wouldn't hold Souttar or Hanley personally responsible for that debacle against the Greeks. As a collective unit, the whole team were miles off it. In a rotten run of form which stretched either side of Euro 2024, Scotland went on a run where they couldn't keep a clean sheet for love nor money. At one point, they had conceded 33 goals in 14 matches. They eventually stemmed the tide in the Nations League campaign with clean sheets against Croatia and Portugal at Hampden, as well as away from home against Greece. But the way the team were torn to shreds in the return leg was a serious concern. I would stick with Souttar and Hanley for now, but there needs to be a collective improvement.
JM: Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. That was an awful night, but the central defence were hardly alone in having games to forget. A few days previously, they were both superb as Clarke's side kept a clean sheet in Greece. As a pair playing in the centre of a four, they are probably the best the manager has available. Both Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry offer options, but do they really improve matters?
If everyone is fit and available come the World Cup qualifiers, how do we get Lewis Ferguson into the team? What's the shape and system?
CC: This is a tricky one. What we have to remember is that we still have Ben Doak to come back into the equation as well once he's fit again. Once Doak returns, he has to be one of the first names on the team-sheet. If we are basing it on a 4-2-3-1, then I think Ferguson plays as one of the two holders along with Billy Gilmour. You would then have John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Doak as the three in behind a central striker. That would see Ryan Christie missing out, whilst there would also be no place for Kieran Tierney. Or does there come a point when Scotland consider playing Tierney as a left-sided centre-back in a back four? I would be more inclined to find a way of getting him into the team, whilst Christie offers good value as a squad player.
JM: It's quite simple really. Ferguson steps into Kenny McLean's position and becomes one of the holders beside Billy Gilmour. This is no slight on McLean, incidentally. He's been a brilliant servant to Scotland, has performed admirably across 50 caps. But he's 33 now and in the twilight of his career with Norwich in the English Championship. Ferguson is 25 and has just captained Bologna to the Coppa Italia and has frequently played in the deeper role for them. Keep the 4-2-3-1 with John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie playing behind Adams. Don't shoehorn Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney into the side.
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