Scotland team to play Bolivia: Key World Cup spots up for grabs, keep one man in cold storage
The likes of Gunn and Hendry should get chance - but not Robertson
Scotland play their final World Cup warm-up match on Saturday evening against Bolivia in New Jersey and it will be the final chance for head coach Steve Clarke to hone his squad.
The Scots jetted over to the USA earlier this week for a pre-tournament training camp in Florida on the back of defeating Curacao 4-1 at Hampden - but travelled without midfielder Billy Gilmour, who has been ruled out of the finals with a knee injury.
With Scotland opening their Group C campaign against Haiti on June 14, Clarke will weigh up whether to use the game against Bolivia - who missed out on the World Cup in the Intercontinental play-offs - as an opportunity to solidify his plans for the competitive action, rest star men or give others one last chance to state their credentials.
We give our verdict on what the team should be at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison:
Goalkeeper
Craig Gordon started against Curacao and Liam Kelly came on with 15 minutes to go. Therefore it is likely that Angus Gunn, who like the other two keepers has found game-time limited at club level, will start.
Many see it as a straight fight between Gordon and Gunn for the gloves against Haiti. A solid performance for the latter against Bolivia could seal the deal.
Defence
Clarke went with a back-four against Curacao and is likely to adopt the same system against Haiti. If that’s the case, Scotland should deploy that against Bolivia.
Captain Andy Robertson is now just seven games shy of the 100-cap mark and while he plays almost every match for Scotland when fit, this feels like the sort of match where precaution should kick in. Kieran Tierney deserves a run-out on the left flank.
On the other side, Aaron Hickey played 45 minutes against Curacao and needs more minutes in the legs. It would be no surprise if he got an hour and then either Nathan Patterson and Anthony Ralston came in.
Centre-halves is a tricky one. John Souttar and Scott McKenna struggled with Curacao’s frontline in the first half and were replaced at the break. Jack Hendry didn’t feature at all and may be given a shot, potentially beside McKenna in what could be Scotland’s best partnership.
Midfield
Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson and John McGinn didn’t feature against Curacao and are very likely to start in Harrison. McGinn could be asked to play wide to give balance and accommodate a winger on the other flank, which would probably be Ben Gannon-Doak. Only just back from injury, the Bournemouth speedster also needs more match practice ahead of the World Cup.
Findlay Curtis, who impressed against Curacao, will also be keen to show he is worth a start, while central midfielder Tyler Fletcher - called up to replace Gilmour - could add to his solitary cap.
Up front
The real talking point. Scotland have been urged to go with two strikers against Haiti, with a win - and goals - required to give the team the best chance of qualification. This is the last audition for a number of forwards.
Lawrence Shankland scored twice against Curacao and is Scotland’s most in-form striker. It might be worth keeping him in cold storage and allow Che Adams and Ross Stewart, neither of whom played against Curacao, a chance to stake a claim.
Lyndon Dykes did well alongside Shankland at Hampden, while George Hirst also played a half. Neither are especially prolific but could be the perfect foil for a natural finisher.
Our Scotland team to play Bolivia
Gunn; Hickey, Hendry, McKenna, Tierney; Gannon-Doak, McTominay, Ferguson, McGinn; Stewart, Adams.
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