Scotland return to action next month as they begin their World Cup preparations with two friendlies against Japan and the Ivory Coast.
Scheduled to be their first game since the dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark that sealed qualification to the World Cup in November, Steve Clarke’s side will face Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday 28 March, before heading to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium for a clash with former AFCON champions Ivory Coast on Tuesday 31 March as they warm up for this summer’s tournament in the Americas.
“There's one or two that you're looking at that have had good seasons for their clubs and you're thinking that there might be a place in the squad for them,” the Scotland head coach told Sky Sports at the weekend. “At the moment I've got four or five players that are currently out injured. I've probably got another four or five that don't play regularly at their club. So there's lots to look at and there's still lots of football to be played between now and final squad selection in May.”
Here, the Scotsman look at 15 players hoping to be called up to the Scotland squad for next month’s friendlies with Japan and the Ivory Coast.
1. Fraser Hornby - Darmstadt
Scotland under-21s' record goalscorer had become something of a forgotten man in recent years, but he's been in electric form in 2. Bundesliga this season. Currently in second place, just one point behind league leaders Schalke, the 26-year-old has registered eight goals and six assists this season for Die Lilien and is doing all he can to catch Steve Clarke's attention. | SNS Group
2. Luke Graham - Dundee
The versatile 22-year-old defender is one of the Scottish Premiership's most highly-rated youngsters, and was linked with a £1million move to the EFL Championship in January. Excellent in the air and capable of playing at both left-back and centre-back, Graham is definitely one Steve Clarke will have one eye on for the future. | SNS Group
3. Zander Clark - Doncaster Rovers
With three goalkeeping slots up for grabs at the World Cup, the head coach could opt to look at several different options in the pre-tournament friendlies. Capped four times by Scotland, the imposing stopper is no stranger to the international set-up, but has dropped out of contention after falling down the pecking order at Hearts in recent months. Currently on loan to EFL League One strugglers Doncaster, he's had a strong start to life in Yorkshire with two clean sheets in his first four matches. | SNS Group
4. Oli McBurnie - Hull City
At his current goal-scoring rate, the 29-year-old is making it hard for Clarke to ignore him. Has been in sensational form since joining the Tigers on a free transfer in the summer, netting 12 league goals and assisting five more. Could he be handed an international recall five years on from his last appearance for Scotland? | Getty Images