Scotland squad for World Cup: The 26 men I would take on plane to America

Let’s hope he didn't waste any time watching the Old Firm derby, with all its attendant lunacy. He would have been better advised to tune into Bologna v Hellas Verona on BBC Alba, where there were double the number of Scots on view - in the starting XIs at least. Kieron Bowie scored his first goal for Verona, the club he joined from Hibs in January. It was a good and timely finish.

It’s reaching crunch time for fringe players to stake their place for this summer’s World Cup. Next Monday Clarke will sit down at Hampden to discuss the first Scotland squad he has named since before last year’s crucial qualifying double header against Greece and Denmark. He can afford to take some risks, maybe check out some wildcards. The upcoming games are friendlies: against Japan at Hampden and Ivory Coast in Liverpool. Had things worked out differently in November, Scotland would now be in a state of deep anxiety ahead of World Cup play-offs. Leave that to Denmark, Northern Ireland, Wales and the rest.

Clarke has the luxury of being able to look at some players about whom he isn't 100 per cent sure. As ever, injuries will also impact his selection. Kieran Tierney was absent from Celtic’s shootout victory over Rangers, although he should be back in time for his side’s clash with Motherwell. Meanwhile, Hearts manager Derek McInnes has already all but confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon isn’t available for the upcoming friendlies.

At least Clarke knows he won’t have to field any questions about Harvey Barnes. The manager has already put that to bed by announcing that the Newcastle United winger has opted to stick with England.

Many were convinced Barnes would be on the plane to North America. He might still be, but just not with Scotland. There is certainly room for Clarke to manoeuvre. Although steadfastly loyal, rest assured that his final World Cup selection will include at least one surprising choice.

Let’s fast-forward ten weeks or so to the end of May. Hearts are on the brink of winning the Scottish title. Clarke is putting the finishing touches to his squad. The big reveal is imminent. But we’ve been given a sneak preview. Perhaps unrealistically, there are no injury worries. No administration issues. Work visas are stamped. He’s settled on 26 players. Bring on Haiti. Scotland are ready to go.

We might as well begin with the most troubling area of the pitch: goalkeeper. While it’s a concern, it’s also arguably the easiest area to predict what Clarke might do. Despite the very real possibility that neither of them will make a club appearance before the end of this season, there are simply no alternative options to Gordon and Angus Gunn. The latter is warming the bench for Nottingham Forest, which is better than not warming it – as was the case earlier this season when he was No. 3 choice.

He has since suffered a knee injury but is at least now fit to challenge Gordon, who is recovering from a shoulder complaint. The main question is who will be No 3? Scott Bain has just helped Falkirk into the last four of the Scottish Cup. More importantly, he is playing regularly. He was also named in Clarke’s last squad, which indicates how the manager is thinking. Liam Kelly, the Rangers No. 2, was named in the Euro 2024 squad and is known as a good squad player due to his infectious personality. Clarke might elect to take four ‘keepers although we don’t think he will. When there are so few choices, why force in another? Zander Clark is back playing at Doncaster Rovers after injury and could yet convince Clarke that he is a better bet than Bain.

Numbers in the back line

The manager might find it less of a chore picking those charged with protecting the goalkeeper. Defence is filled with mainstays like Grant Hanley, Scott McKenna, John Souttar and Jack Hendry at centre-half. At full back, skipper Andy Robertson, who is still excelling for Liverpool when called upon, and Tierney will obviously be on the plane, as will Aaron Hickey on the other side. Who else? Max Johnston is currently injured at Derby County. However, as stated above, this exercise presumes everyone will be fit, as hopelessly optimistic as that might be.

Nathan Patterson is an unused sub most weeks at Everton these days but has tournament experience with Scotland. Clarke might also consider Hearts’ Harry Milne as a left-back back-up on the other side, particularly given Tierney’s injury history, or Sassuolo’s Josh Doig. Milne has been a standout in a Hearts side setting the pace at the top of the Premiership this season. Wrexham captain Dominic Hyam is another option for centre-half cover.

Midfield is strong and therefore picks itself to a certain degree. The old guard of Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Kenny McLean. If it’s possible to be described as ‘old guard’ aged 24, then add Billy Gilmour to the list. He turns 25 on 11 June – the day the World Cup kicks off. Another Italian based player, Lennon Miller at Udinese, can also expect to be included. Clarke will view the experience as an important part in the 19-year-old’s development. Are there any wild cards in the mix for midfield? Clarke will be keeping tabs on Andy Irving, who’s on loan at Sparta Prague from West Ham United. He may also contact the medical team at Hibs for an update on Josh Mulligan’s ankle injury. The industrious midfielder impressed in the early part of the season and can also provide cover at right back – or right wing back. It’s not impossible that the 23-year-old could make his competitive Scotland bow at a World Cup.

And what about up front? The names of Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes are already inked in, which is gratifying in the latter’s case. He missed Euro 2024 due to an injury sustained in training shortly beforehand. Lawrence Shankland can also count on being there, and perhaps will have a Scottish League title medal to pass around teammates. George Hirst of Ipswich has not done much wrong this season – eight goals in 33 appearances is not to be sniffed at. But it pales somewhat in comparison to the divisive figure of Oli McBurnie. Although he has not scored for Scotland in 16 appearances, he has struck 13 league goals already this season for Hull City. He will have turned 30 by the time of the World Cup. Clarke might feel he's already had his chance.

Another Oli, Burke, has scored only once for Werder Bremen since a well-publicised hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in September. Fraser Hornby is striking more regularly for Bundesliga 2 side SV Darmstadt. Tommy Conway also scored one of the goals in Middlesbrough’s 4-0 win at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, making it eight league goals for the season.

Ross Stewart, meanwhile, struck the penalty winner for Southampton, sending Fulham spinning out of the FA Cup. And no, we have not forgotten Ben Gannon Doak. He spoke movingly of his religious faith in a recent short film for A View from the Terrace. He also showed the wince-inducing evidence of an operation for a torn hamstring, which he sustained in the World Cup qualifying victory over Denmark.

Although the player has yet to return for Bournemouth, Clarke will give such a special player an opportunity to prove his fitness. It isn’t only Gannon-Doak who has become expert at praying.

Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad (perhaps)

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn, Scott Bain.

Defenders: Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, Max Johnston, Grant Hanley, John Souttar, Scott McKenna, Jack Hendry, Dom Hyam, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Josh Doig.

Midfielders: Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, Lennon Miller, Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean, Josh Mulligan.

Forwards: Ben Gannon-Doak, Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland, Kieron Bowie.