What might Scotland change for Ivory Coast test?

March 29, 2026 No Comments

What might Scotland change for Ivory Coast test?Media caption, Highlights: Scotland 0-1 JapanByGeorge O’NeillBBC Sport ScotlandPublished18 minutes agoAfter Saturday’s forgettable friendly defeat by Japan, Steve Clarke mentioned he is likely to make six or seven changes to his Scotland team for another testing fixture against Ivory Coast on Tuesday in Liverpool.But what might those tweaks be? And what will the head coach be hoping to learn about his squad before the visit of Curacao at the end of May and another pre-finals friendly in early June before the World Cup starts?Scotland succumb to late friendly defeat by Japan

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Changes in the defence?

Angus Gunn started in goal against Japan, but might Clarke be tempted to hand an opportunity to one of the other goalkeepers in his squad?

One would expect Craig Gordon to travel to the World Cup if he is fit, and challenge Gunn for the gloves, but Liam Kelly and Scott Bain are vying for the third spot.

Bain is the only one of the four playing regular football with his club Falkirk, but the most recent of his three Scotland caps came in March 2019.

There will almost certainly be changes in the back four though.

Clarke regularly changes his central partnership, and both Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna played the full 90 minutes against Japan.

Regulars John Souttar and Grant Hanley are the most likely candidates to start, but Wrexham’s Dominic Hyam is another option.

At right-back, Nathan Patterson looked rusty before being replaced by Anthony Ralston on Saturday.

Clarke knows exactly what those two offer, and with first-choice Aaron Hickey still out injured, could there be a start for versatile Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie?

Captain Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney will likely share the left-back duties once more.

International friendly: Ivory Coast v Scotland

Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool

Tuesday 31 March, 19:30 GMT

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Watch live on BBC Scotland, the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app; listen on BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Sounds; follow live coverage online

A chance for youth?

Perhaps the most interesting element of Clarke’s team selection for Tuesday centres around the younger members of his squad.

With Ben Gannon-Doak missing through injury, Tommy Conway started on the left, where he has impressed at times this season for promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.

The 23-year-old was singled out for praise by Clarke after the game, despite himself admitting he struggled to get into the contest early on.

He was replaced by teenage Kilmarnock winger Findlay Curtis on 81 minutes, but the on-loan Rangers man struggled to get any meaningful touches on his senior international debut.

Given the lack of wide options at Clarke’s disposal, it will almost certainly be those two vying to start on Tuesday.

In the heart of midfield, there might also be a slot for 19-year-old Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller.

The former Motherwell player has become more of a feature in Serie A since the turn of the year and he will fancy his chances of a fifth Scotland cap at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, especially given both Lewis Ferguson and Kenny McLean played the full 90 against Japan.

Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie and Sparta Prague’s Andy Irving are the other central midfielders who started on the bench against Japan, with only Christie getting game time.

Findlay Curtis in action for Scotland — Image caption,

Findlay Curtis made his Scotland debut against Japan

Adams to return up front?

It feels like every time Scotland play, there is a debate surrounding the best option up front.

Lyndon Dykes started against Japan and toiled hard without much joy.

The Charlton man provides physicality and endeavour and will pop up with the odd goal here and there – his record of 10 in 49 caps is not to be sniffed at.

However, George Hirst has more than double Dykes’ goal tally in the English Championship this season and also put himself about against a solid Japanese back line.

The Ipswich Town striker dragged his best chance into the side netting, though, and will likely return to the bench against Ivory Coast.

Having not featured on Saturday, Torino’s Che Adams is the favourite to lead the line.

He is a different option to Dykes, with a bit more pace, and his international goal record is marginally superior.

Those two have been Clarke’s two favoured strikers for a long time now and that isn’t about to change.

Pick your Scotland XI

Pick your Scotland XI for the match against Japan.

What might Scotland change for Ivory Coast test?

Changes in the defence?

A chance for youth?

Adams to return up front?

Pick your Scotland XI

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Changes in the defence?

A chance for youth?

Adams to return up front?

Pick your Scotland XI

Related topics

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