The Scotland debrief: 7 major talking points as Steve Clarke shuts up critics and faces big calls on 2 players

Who wears the gloves?

Angus Gunn has been Scotland’s No 1 for the best part of 18 months, but his untimely rib injury left the door ajar for veteran Craig Gordon - and the 41-year-old has walked right through it. Reinstated as Hearts’ first choice in his club battle with Zander Clark, Gordon now has legitimate claims to be starting ahead of Gunn should the Norwich stopper recover in time for the November internationals.

Now on 77 caps, Gordon acquitted himself well in the 2-1 defeat by Croatia, making a couple of smart saves, and then was one of Scotland’s top performers in the goalless draw with Portugal. Clarke admitted that he celebrated Gordon’s late save from Bruno Fernandes to earn a point and the former Celtic and Sunderland goalkeeper has done little wrong in his latest outings.

“What I’ve always said about Craig is that he is the ultimate professional,” commented Clarke on Tuesday night. “He is determined to play as long as he can. He still performs at a very high level for his club and now for his country. We are delighted to have him back in the squad.”

A new central defensive partnership

Scotland centre-halves Grant Hanley and John Souttar have both rightly been lauded for their display against Portugal’s potent forward line. Cristiano Ronaldo is still a dangerous striker despite his advancing years, yet he got little change out of the duo. Positionally, both defenders were sound, ably supported by full-backs Anthony Ralston and Andy Robertson. Scotland kept their shape against Portugal despite a lot of pressure.

In the absence of Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna and Kieran Tierney, Clarke’s hand was forced somewhat in this international window. Only Ryan Porteous, who has fallen out of the starting XI after his red card against Germany at the Euros, was an experienced alternative to Hanley and Souttar. But amid trying selection circumstances, a resolute pairing has emerged. Hanley and Souttar compliment each other well.

Hanley’s past two performances are even more laudable given he has only played three minutes of club football for Norwich since August 27. The Canaries’ club captain is not hugely fancied by their new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup. He belied any signs of rust and has recovered well from the concession of a stoppage-time penalty against Poland last month.

Souttar agonisingly missed out on the Euros squad, but now appears Scotland’s most impressive centre-half. Physically in good shape, the 28-year-old’s distribution against Croatia and Portugal was also commendable. A mainstay at club level with Rangers, he should now be given an extended run in the national team.

Clarke was impressed with both centre-halves on Tuesday. “They were really good, both excellent,” remarked the head coach. “John is playing every week with Rangers and has a little bit more fitness. Grant, you have to give credit. He’s not playing at Norwich, but he comes here and puts in two performances like that over the two games.”

Is this the end of a back three?

Since the Euros, Scotland have changed formation for this Nations League campaign. Clarke has adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, ditching the 3-5-1-1 that helped Scotland qualify for the European Championships. The back three was constructed mainly to accommodate both Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson, two natural left-backs who play at the highest level. With Tierney out with a significant hamstring injury, there was little reason to keep faith with a system that appeared to be failing.

Every single Scotland player looks more comfortable in a 4-2-3-1. All four defenders operate in a back four at club level, while Billy Gilmour and Kenny McLean are comfortable in the No 6 roles. Scott McTominay’s best position is as a No 10 behind the striker and the new system accommodates a natural winger such as Ben Doak.

Clarke deserves praise for identifying the need to change the formation and getting the best out of it. Regardless of whether Tierney returns in November, Scotland should not deviate from where they are right now. They have competed admirably in all four of their Nations League ties against strong opposition by using 4-2-3-1.

Where does John McGinn fit in?

It was an unusual sight, a Scotland squad without the talismanic presence of John McGinn. The Aston Villa captain has a hamstring injury, but is expected to be back for the Croatia and Poland ties.

Scotland’s strongest sector remains midfield. Even with the international retirement of Callum McGregor, Clarke has some good options. He has plumped for the Gilmour-McLean axis at No 6 and it would be unfair to break that up, given the duo work well together. McTominay is most effective further forward, but McGinn’s skillset is so strong that it is hard to leave him out.

McLean appears the most vulnerable out of the aforementioned trio, but Clarke may be tempted to station McGinn in one of the wider advanced midfield roles. He operates there at times for Villa and by tucking in, he can allow Robertson on the left licence to bomb forward. That would mean Doak or Ryan Christie’s selection would come under threat.

Regardless, it is a nice problem for Clarke to have.

The No 9

Both Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes were given starts in this international window. Starved off limited service against Croatia and Portugal, it is hard to be too critical of either striker. Much of the role is pressing, hold-up and linking with midfielders. Out of the two, the better chances fell to Adams late on against Croatia.

Dykes remains a squad player at Birmingham City in the third tier of English football, while Adams starts more often than not in a 3-5-2 for Torino. He has netted four times since moving to Serie A. Continuing such form should keep him ahead of Dykes for next month’s ties.

The Clarke critics

The past two matches have been a shot in the eye for Clarke’s band of critics. The head coach is not universally popular after the Euros, but even the harshest sceptic must confess that, in terms of performances, Scotland have recovered and improved.

The run of one win in 16 matches remains grim reading, but recently, would anyone else be doing much better in games at this level? Clarke spoke ahead of facing Portugal of his desire to see out his contract, which ends after Scotland’s 2026 World Cup campaign. He has enhanced such a prospect in the past week.

The new additions

Nicky Devlin made his first Scotland appearance late on and his goal-saving block on Rafael Leao against Portugal was timely. Jack MacKenzie, Liam Lindsay, Connor Barron and Andy Irving remain uncapped but will have grown from the experience of being in the Scotland squad, as will goalkeepers Jon McCracken and Robby McCrorie.

All are unlikely to be back in November when more established players return to fitness, but Clarke will no doubt be pleased to have exposed them to the international environment.