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How does the future look for Scotland? It’s a question that is sure to be on the minds of the Tartan Army this week amid the worst ever run of competitive results in the history of the national side.
Steve Clarke has led Scotland to back-to-back European Championships - ending a 23-year wait for a major finals appearance in the process - but a sequence of three draws and five defeats over the last eight competitive matches has erased much of the positive vibes and raised question marks over his tenure.
The performances in the defeats to Poland and Portugal were more encouraging than the lacklustre showing the team produced at Euro 2024, but something has to change if Scotland are to get back to winning ways.
Scotland still have to negotiate their way through the remainder of a tough Nations League group, which also includes Croatia, before embarking on another World Cup qualification campaign for the tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
Clarke has stated that it is unlikely he will remain in post beyond those finals - whether Scotland qualify or not - meaning that a new manager could be at the helm by the time Euro 2028 comes around, with the tournament being jointly hosted by the home nations.
What sort of squad will a future Scotland manager have at his disposal? What could the 24-man pool look like five years down the line? One thing is for sure, there will be new faces with a number retirements from the current squad likely by 2029. Andy Robertson, Zander Clark, Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley will all be nearer 40 than 30 and will likely have hung up their Scotland jerseys by then.
Who are the next generation of talent coming through to replace them? Are there any Scotland Under-21 prospects capable of making the step up. Ben Doak earned his first senior caps off the bench over the past week and others are sure to follow in the years to come.
Here is how we predict a 24-man Scotland squad might look five years down the line with three goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and four strikers ...
9. Scott McKenna - defender
The Las Palmas defender was producing one of his best performances in a Scotland shirt in Lisbon on Sunday night, only to spoil it with just two minutes left by losing Cristiano Ronaldo for the Portgual winner. If the 27-year-old can build on that display, and learn from the late error, then he could establish himself as the country's first-choice left centre-back for the next five years and beyond. | Getty Images
10. Ryan Porteous - defender
The Watford centre-back made an encouraging start to his international career with 14 appearances in a row, but the rash red card against Germany in the opening match of Euro 2024 has set him back a bit. Has been in and out of the Watford side in the EFL Championship, which will be a concern for his Scotland ambitions. But the 23-year-old is an undoubted talent and with five more years experience under his belt, should be in and around the squad come 2029. | SNS Group
11. Liam Morrison - defender
There have been high hopes for the Saltcoats youngster ever since he was plucked from Celtic by Bayern Munich at the age of 16. He progressed through the youth ranks at the German giants - getting as far as the B team - but never made it to the senior team. He left Bayern to sign for QPR in the summer and has already made two first-team appearances for the Londoners. A Scotland Under-21 regular, he may well be a senior international by the age of 26. Photo: Alex Livesey
12. Ibane Bowat - defender
A centre-back of real promise, the Scotland Under-21 star was a coveted man in the summer with Aberdeen reportedly launching a £500k bid to sign him from Fulham. He ended up at Portsmouth where he has been described as a "cultured and athletic player, who’s comfortable on the ball and also enjoys his defending." Made over 30 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga last season while on loan at TSV Hartberg. It would be no surprise if, by the age of 26, he is a full Scotland international. | SNS Group