Who were Scotland’s winners and losers from international break?

April 1, 2026 No Comments

Who were Scotland’s winners and losers from international break?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Kieran Tierney and Scott McTominay are fixtures in Steve Clarke’s squadByGeorge O’NeillBBC Sport ScotlandPublished1 hour agoScotland’s friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast were late opportunities Steve Clarke had to assess fringe members of his squad before naming his pool for this summer’s World Cup.However, relatively few players in salmon or navy blue shone as Steve Clarke’s side succumbed to successive 1-0 defeats. The likes of Napoli star Scott McTominay, captain Andy Robertson and Aston Villa’s John McGinn are shoo-ins, but there will be spots still up for grabs before the tournament opener against Haiti on 14 June.With one more friendly on these shores – against Curacao in May – who exactly were the winners and losers from this international break?Ivory Coast inflict Scotland’s second consecutive friendly defeat

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Clarke played two different defensive shapes in the two games – Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna were the centre-backs in a four against Japan, before Dominic Hyam and John Souttar joined Kieran Tierney in a back three against Ivory Coast.

Although Japan had the better of proceedings at Hampden, Hendry and McKenna dealt with balls into the box, while the pace they both possess is a valuable commodity in international football.

Souttar made one important block against the Ivorians, while Hyam was quiet without making any errors on his first Scotland start.

Ross McCrorie did nothing wrong at right wing-back against Ivory Coast, whereas Nathan Patterson looked rusty at right-back in his start against Japan.

Celtic’s Anthony Ralston got a few minutes late on against Japan, but is fourth choice when everyone in his position is fit at Parkhead.

Clarke favourite Grant Hanley, meanwhile, did not get on the pitch in either game. What does that say about his status?

The other interesting defensive selection came in goal against the Ivorians

With first-choice Angus Gunn having taken the gloves against Japan, Rangers’ Liam Kelly and Falkirk’s Scott Bain each played 45 minutes in Liverpool.

While Kelly dawdled for the decisive goal, Bain made a superb save late on to deny Manchester United’s Amad Diallo.

With Craig Gordon expected to join Gunn in the US – assuming he is fit – might Bain jump ahead of Kelly as the third goalkeeper?

Highlights: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland

Youngsters not given minutes & strikers fail to fire

The main surprise in Clarke’s squad for these friendlies was the inclusion of Kilmarnock’s teenage winger Findlay Curtis, and the on-loan Rangers man came off the bench for his senior international debut against Japan.

He struggled to make an impact in his 10 minutes on the pitch, though, and was unused against Ivory Coast.

The other teenager in the squad was Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller, who many fans were hoping to see in the second match, especially after Lewis Ferguson and Kenny McLean both played the full 90 against Japan.

He too was left on the bench, though, as Clarke stuck with his more experienced central options.

Perhaps the biggest conundrum the head coach has been left with after this camp is up front.

Lyndon Dykes, Tommy Conway and Che Adams were all largely ineffective in their time of the pitch, although Clarke did single out Conway for praise after Japan.

No goals in either match tells its own story, but Ipswich Town’s George Hirst was the pick of the forward players on show.

He was as industrious as the others, committed defenders and creating shooting opportunities for himself, even if his end product was lacking.

“All I can do whenever I get an opportunity is play as well as I can,” Hirst stated post-match on Tuesday. “If I can keep doing that and doing it for Ipswich, it will stand me in good stead.

“I’m getting in the positions and on another day I would have come off with a couple of goals. Hopefully, they start going in.”

Former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie was impressed by what the 27-year-old had to offer.

“Hirst was really lively,” she stated. “He won balls in the final third and didn’t quite get a clear opportunity. I felt it was a positive performance from him.”

Steve Clarke after Ivory Coast defeat

Were the biggest winners those not in the squad?

As is usually the case when Scotland fail to win, minds turn to those either not picked or not available.

Would Lawrence Shankland’s finishing ability have been a benefit?

Would Kieron Bowie’s physicality and new-found Serie A experience have brought a point of difference up front?

Oli McBurnie – last capped five years ago – has 14 goals for Hull City this season. Would a strong finish to the club season propel him back into the picture?

Given Conway’s lack of impact on the left flank and Curtis’ lack of minutes, Ben Gannon-Doak’s importance to the national team became increasingly obvious.

His direct running and pace out wide is something Scotland simply cannot replace and the sooner he is back to full fitness, the better.

“There’s still a lot of football to be played at club level,” former national team midfielder Charlie Adam stated on BBC Scotland.

“We’re in as good a place as we’ve been for a long time in terms of players available.

“Shankland not available, McBurnie not here. There’s a lot of players that can force their way into this group. And Hirst has done himself no harm.”

The Scotland boss himself was typically non-committal when asked about the state of his squad less than three months out from the World Cup.

“Still plenty of things can happen,” Clarke stated. “I won’t get too carried away. Going into previous tournaments I’ve lost players to injury.”

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Who were Scotland’s winners and losers from international break?

Has anyone moved up defensive queue?

Youngsters not given minutes & strikers fail to fire

Were the biggest winners those not in the squad?

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Has anyone moved up defensive queue?

Youngsters not given minutes & strikers fail to fire

Were the biggest winners those not in the squad?

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Related topics

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