Scotland team to play Ivory Coast: System change, Billy Gilmour role and striker pick

Steve Clarke’s national team heads across the border on the back of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Hampden by Japan - a result and performance that led to some boos from the Tartan Army, in stark contrast to the joyous scenes back in November when Scotland secured qualification for the finals.

Clarke said he was disappointed with the reaction from certain sections of the fanbase but also admitted that Scotland needed to do more in the final third. He also intimated that would make substantial changes to his team for the match against the Ivorians.

We take a look at how the team might look on Merseyside:

Goalkeeper - stick with Gunn

Angus Gunn played well against Japan and given that he is far down the pecking order at Nottingham Forest, the 30-year-old needs all the game-time he can get ahead of the World Cup.

Liam Kelly and Scott Bain are also in the squad and will want to add to their cap haul. However, it would be unfair on Gunn to drop him after Saturday’s display and the clear need to experience some first-team football.

Defence - back three or back four?

The central defensive partnership of Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna did well against tricky Japanese opposition. There is a growing case for at least one of them to be in the starting XI when the real stuff begins in the summer.

Grant Hanley and John Souttar will have other ideas. They struck up a good understanding during the qualifiers and could easily return to the team against Ivory Coast. Hanley is just back from an injury at Hibs, while Souttar’s status as a first-team regular at Rangers is under threat from Emmanuel Fernandez and Nasser Djiga. They will be keen for action.

Dominic Hyam is also in the squad as his Wrexham team bid to make the Championship play-offs. He will also want to add to his solitary cap.

On the flanks, Andy Robertson was taken off early against Japan and may keep his place as captain ahead of Kieran Tierney, although the latter could be called upon as a third centre-half should Scotland change from a back three to a back four.

On the right, Nathan Patterson hasn’t played much for Everton at their new stadium but may well get another run-out in a Scotland jersey. Anthony Ralston and Ross McCrorie are the other options. All three could be deployed as wing-backs rather than full-backs if the system changes.

Midfield - some changes

Scotland were slow and stodgy in midfield against a very nimble Japan side. There may be the temptation to start Ryan Christie and Billy Gilmour, as they are often more progressive with the ball.

Kenny McLean, Lewis Ferguson and Scott McTominay could drop out, as the former two played the full game against Japan and the latter was subbed nursing a small knock.

Ivory Coast are strong in midfield, so the industry of John McGinn is probably required for such an assignment. Lennon Miller and Andy Irving were left in reserve against Japan and will want action as well.

Up front - Adams assignment

Findlay Curtis won his first cap as a late sub on Saturday and is unlikely to trouble the starting XI at this stage in the his nascent international career. Tommy Conway got a good stint against Japan and may make way for others, especially if Scotland switch to a back three and the width comes from the wing-backs.

Lyndon Dykes should make way as the No 9, most probably for Che Adams, who has been Scotland’s main striker under Clarke and offers more mobility. Although George Hirst did reasonably well in his substitute appearance and given he is in good form for Ipswich, there is a case for him as well.

My Scotland team to play Ivory Coast

Gunn; Souttar, Hanley, Tierney; Patterson, Gilmour, Christie, McGinn, Robertson; McTominay; Adams.