Scotland World Cup squad reaction: Biggest shock, Neymar's Celtic nemisis and the 270-minute problem
Key talking points as Steve Clarke names his 26-man Scotland World Cup squad
No one can ever accuse Steve Clarke of leading anyone up the garden path. He had suggested there would be no major surprises and he was true to his word after Scotland’s 26-man squad for the World Cup was revealed at bang on 11am today.
A short video, fronted by Ewan McGregor, was posted on social media— something of a coup for the SFA. The star names kept coming as the squad was revealed like the rolling credits at the end of a film. McTominay, Robertson, McGinn and… Ross Stewart, who was perhaps the biggest eye opener when it came to inclusions.
Clarke will be applauded rather than castigated for turning to someone clearly on form after eight goals in his last 16 appearances for promotion-chasing Southampton. It is the strikers’ department re-appraisal fans were calling for although many will regret Kieron Bowie’s omission after he showed his undoubted class with a goal in the San Siro for Hellas Verona against Italian champions Inter Milan at the weekend.
Clarke has otherwise stuck with the tried-and-tested up front: Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland and George Hirst, who performed well in the last two friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast.
As expected, Clarke has found it very easy to resist Oli McBurnie’s charms. Despite scoring regularly for Hull City, the manager seems to have concluded that he’s had his chance.
Perhaps the biggest shock among those left out was the absence of 19-year-old Lennon Miller. The former Motherwell midfielder has been in and out of Udinese’s team in recent weeks but even so, most expected him to be included for experience as much as anything.
He will spend the summer watching on television, as will Ross McCrorie, potential right back cover for Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson. Celtic’s Anthony Ralston goes to another major finals, perhaps to deal with Neymar, named in the Brazil squad on Monday to the surprise of some, as much as anything. The pair enjoyed a running battle when Paris-Saint Germain faced in a Champions League clash at Parkhead in 2017.
Other notable absences are Andy Irving, Connor Barron and Ryan Porteous, whose international career has never recovered following his red card in the opening game of Euro 2024 against Germany. Grant Hanley is included - for now. Concern remains over a knee injury picked up by the Hibs defender in the recent game v Motherwell.
Clarke's biggest head-scratcher might have been the last line of defence. He has opted to take only three goalkeepers who have barely played a game between them this season.
Scott Bain, who ended the season nursing an injury at Falkirk, has not been named despite featuring in the last two squads. Liam Kelly will head out to another major finals having played just three times for Rangers this season.
And the choice as No 1 will be between 43-year-old Craig Gordon and Angus Gunn, who have played just 270 minutes of club football between them this season. It’s far from ideal, especially when Brazil are among the opponents to be faced in the United States. But then as Clarke might well point out, such problems are better than not being there at all.
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