I watched Scotland rout Bolivia ahead of World Cup and debate will now start over six players

Their final warm-up match against Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday night went as well as anyone could have hoped for. Steve Clarke’s side prevailed 4-0 and there was not one ounce of negativity that could be taken from the assignment.

Scotland have often been criticised during Clarke’s reign for playing too pragmatic, at times too negative. There was none of that against the Bolivians. Just like against Curacao a week ago at Hampden, the head coach deployed a 4-4-2 system and the team was attack-minded.

This appears the way Scotland will go when they begin their Group C campaign in the early hours of next Sunday morning against Haiti in Boston. There has been a lot of chatter of how dangerous the Haitians will be after their own 4-0 win over New Zealand during the week. They lost 2-1 to Peru at the weekend as their shimmer dulled slightly. Regardless of what they’ve done over the past week, they are the weakest opponent Scotland will face in the pool and are therefore the lowest hanging fruit when it comes to gleaning points.

Clarke has been very complimentary of Haiti in public, and that is absolutely the correct thing to do. Treat them with respect. But privately, he and the players know how important it is to win the opening match. It sets the tone for the rest of the tournament, for the other group matches against Morocco and Brazil.

The good news is that Scotland are in fine fettle going into it. Their training stint in Florida went well and they did not seem inhibited by the warm conditions against Bolivia. The Scots attacked with pace and purpose, and players such as goalkeeper Angus Gunn, right-back Aaron Hickey and winger Ben Gannon-Doak - all short of game-time in 2026 - got valuable minutes under their belts.

Scotland have scored eight goals in their past two matches. Cynics will point to Curacao playing more than a half with ten men, or that Bolivia were such wretched opposition. Those are fair observations. The South Americans in particular were an embarrassment, completely disinterested and at times dishevelled. But what is so pleasing is that Scotland seized upon the weaknesses of their foes. That hasn’t always been the case.

Scotland have momentum going into World Cup

Ahead of the European Championships two years ago, Scotland went into the tournament with little momentum after letting a two-goal lead slip at home to Finland. Being 4-0 up against Bolivia at half time - and it could have been more - not only sent a message to the Tartan Army, but also to Scotland’s opponents. We are ready.

A few days of training and media activities at the home of Charlotte FC in North Carolina await Scotland before they take a two-hour flight up to Boston. By that point, the tournament will have started. World Cup fever is building up steadily to next weekend’s all-nighter.

There is enough experience in the Scotland camp to stay grounded. For some, this is their third major tournament in five years. What we have seen from Scotland over the past 12 months is a level of maturity, whether it is off the pitch or on it, that emphasises Scotland do belong at the grandest stage.

The debate now will turn to who starts against Haiti. The Scotland coaching staff cancelled a closed-door friendly against Norway, slated at the start of the week, to avoid any injuries. Scotland came through the Bolivia match unscathed - almost as important as the win - and so far only midfielder Billy Gilmour has exited the squad with his knee issue.

Clarke admitted after the Bolivia match that he has some nice problems to solve. There are certain players who pick themselves: captain Andy Robertson at left-back, Scott McTominay in midfield, and Lawrence Shankland in attack. The latter wasn’t even in the Scotland set-up at the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign, but the 30-year-old striker simply has to get the nod against Haiti. After scoring 20 goals for Hearts this season, he earned a transfer to Rangers and has scored three goals in the friendlies. He looks as sharp as a new razor blade, the sort of hitman who can really hurt Haiti.

Che Adams is probably in the box-seat to partner Shankland after netting twice against Bolivia. Clarke loves his work-rate, his link-up play and ability to run the channels. Lyndon Dykes did well alongside Shankland against Curacao, but it’s hard to put him ahead of Adams now.

On the wing, Gannon-Doak dispelled any doubts that he may not start against Haiti with a strong performance against Bolivia. He ran with the ball at will, his end product was better and he was diligent with his defensive duties. Findlay Curtis has come on leaps and bounds, but he’ll be kept in reserve behind the Bournemouth man.

John McGinn came on as a half-time sub when the game was done. Given his importance to Scotland, it is hard to imagine him not starting. But if McTominay and Gannon-Doak are in the team, then one of Lewis Ferguson or Ryan Christie must make way. Christie was once again excellent against Bolivia, and brings a lovely balance to the left side of the team. Ferguson protects the defence. It is not an easy call removing either.

Nor is it particularly straightforward in defence, although Hickey remains the best option at right-back. The centre-half pairing is up for grabs, the likelihood being two of Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, John Souttar and Scott McKenna will start. The latter duo’s first-half struggles against Curacao may count against them.

And then, who is No 1? Perhaps the biggest debate of them all. Gunn v Craig Gordon. Scotland’s goalkeepers have not been properly tested in the friendlies; they will be when the World Cup begins.

These are the conundrums you want at a major tournament. They can be tackled with positivity after a fine weekend’s work.

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