'Exciting' Scotland link-up can create World Cup history - but warning issued over Brazil 'big boy'

Both Hickey, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Wednesday, and Gannon-Doak have endured frustrating a season due to injuries.

Manager Steve Clarke has exhibited caution while reintroducing the players to the side although both played the first 62 minutes of Saturday’s final pre-World Cup warm-up against Bolivia on Saturday night. They are expected to start Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti in Boston on Saturday night.

“It's exciting for myself as well, playing with Doaky,” he said. “I think he's a good player, young, exciting, so I think we'll still get used to each other, what we do and how we link up and also defensively. The sessions we're working on every day in training.

“So, it's been good getting to know him better as a person, and the link-up’s been good. So, we’re looking forward to the games.”

“I think he has something different. He adds something different to the team which is exciting for all of us,” Hickey added.

“I think we all know that he has that something a little bit different. I think his pace is frightening. He’s probably one of the fastest players I’ve ever played with. He brings that to the team which is good. He’s going to be a very important player for us.”

Hickey’s inclusion in the squad had been in doubt when he tore a hamstring while playing for Brentford against Brighton. After missing out on Euro 2024 due to injury, Hickey endured an anxious few weeks before making his comeback towards the end of last season.

He has recovered in time to feature in personal brochures that were waiting for the players when they arrived at their team hotel in North Carolina. It includes pictures of them as young boys wearing Scotland strips – at least those of them where it was possible to source them wearing Scotland strips.

“When we got the hotel there was a little book of pictures of when we were all young boys,” he revealed. “There was a picture of myself as a young boy with my Scotland jersey. So to be here now, playing for the team at a World Cup,… it’s nice.”

He recently returned to Jordanhill, where he grew up, to recreate the photo - just this time he was wearing a modern day Scotland tracksuit. “It was nice to go back to where it all started,” he said.

The smiley Hickey certainly looks as if he is living the dream. He later brought in his birthday cake for reporters to share having explained that the players were not permitted to indulge in such treats at this crucial stage of preparation.

It seems a sensible approach with the World Cup kick-off just days away. Hickey detailed the sauna plan they were given by Scotland coaching staff while still at their clubs to prepare for the heat of Boston and Miami. “I think the programme was to try to do 15-20 minutes every two or three days,” he said. “The first few were a struggle but then you get used to it. Obviously being here helps too.”

He is enjoying meeting up with old friends and creating new ones in the case of Findlay Curtis, the 19-year-old winger he has helped settle in. He remembers being the youngster sitting slightly starry-eyed at the breakfast table with his international teammates.

“It’s important to have a mixture of young players coming through and it’s important also to have the senior players, to keep the young boys on their toes and make sure they help them out every day in training,” he said. “It’s good to have that mixture of both.”

He is also relishing the chance to catch up with club teammates, including those who might feature for the opposition. He is line to face fellow Brentford player Igor Thiago against Brazil in Scotland’s last group game. “It’s been funny. We’ve been talking every day about that game in Miami. We’re both really looking forward to it.

“He’s a big boy. He holds it up well. I’ve only played with him for one season but he’s a good player. Hopefully I can give a few tips to the centre backs in how to deal with him!”

He also touched base with his old mate Romeo Beckham, with whom he played for a short spell in the Brentford B team. His dad David is of course the co-owner of Inter Miami FC.

“We keep in touch and when we were training at the facilities in Miami I sent him a text," he revealed. "He was asking how it was. I’ve had a lot of messages since I got called up.”