Steve Clarke announces his Scotland World Cup squad | OneFootball

Scotland national team boss Steve Clarke has announced his 26-man squad for the World Cup, and there are not many surprises.

One of Clarke’s enduring – and perhaps controversial – traits is loyalty. While it is admirable in keeping faith with the same group of players, regardless of form, it has come back to haunt him previously.

Stalwarts such as Craig Gordan, Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney and Scott McTominay will provide the backbone to the squad in North America.

Oli McBurnie, who scored 17 Championship goals for Hull this season, misses out. Despite his impressive run of form, the striker hasn’t played for his country since 2021, so perhaps it wasn’t a massive surprise he didn’t make the cut.

Youngster Lennon Miller was also omitted, but his time will come. One starlet who did make the cut, however, was Findlay Curtis. The Rangers winger has shone on loan at Kilmarnock and timed his run of form perfectly.

All in all, a solid squad that has a great chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time at the World Cup. Whatever happens from there on in is just a bonus.

Scotland’s World Cup fixtures

Scotland vs Haiti – Saturday, June 13 at 9 pm ET/6pm PTScotland vs Morocco – Friday, June 19 at 6 pm ET/3pm PTBrazil vs Scotland – Wednesday, June 24 at 6 pm ET/3pm PT

The opening fixture against Haiti gives Scotland an excellent chance of making a positive start to Group C. While Clarke won’t be taking the Caribbean nation lightly, Scotland has more than enough firepower to secure their first win at the World Cup since 1990.

If so, it could mean that taking just a single point from the games against Morocco and Brazil is enough to reach the knockout stage.

Next up are the Moroccans. Has anyone forgotten 1998? Or is that night in Saint-Étienne ingrained in our national psyche?

Hopefully, this time around, Scotland will deliver a far better performance. The Africans are favourites alongside Brazil to finish in the top two, but a change of coach just months before the tournament might well offer Clarke some hope of gaining a positive result.

Four points from the first two games could be enough, especially as Brazil await in the final match.

Across Scotland’s previous eight appearances at this event, Bazil have been opponents in four of them (1974, 1982, 1990 and 1998). A draw and three defeats is a poor record indeed, but can Clarke lead the nation to glory at the fifth time of asking?

Scotland’s history at the World Cup

Eight World Cups qualified for, eight times failing to make it out of the group. This is the ultimate aim for Scotland in North America this summer. Despite missing only four editions between 1954 and 1998, Scotland have won just four of their 23 games at the World Cup.

A 2-1 victory over Sweden in 1990 remains the nation’s last victory. How Clarke would love to be the man to end that dismal streak. Last time out at France 98, Scotland lost to Brazil in the curtain raiser, before sealing a share of the points against Norway. Defeat to Morocco ended hopes of making it into the knockout stage.

Key players to watch out for

McTominay has been Scotland’s talisman for the last few years, and this could be a tournament where he drags Scotland out of the groups. He scored against Switzerland at the 2024 European Championships, and given his club form this season for Napoli, registering 18 goal contributions in 43 games, the midfielder is primed to enjoy a superb World Cup.

Another midfielder who also shines at international level is John McGinn. The Aston Villa player has 20 goals for his country, just ten shy of the record shared by Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish.

This might be his only opportunity to play at the World Cup, as he will be 35 by the next one in 2030. As such, expect some impressive displays across the group games.

Clarke called up 19-year-old winger Findlay Curtis to the squad, and the youngster is certainly a wildcard option.

While he might not get much playing time, if Scotland needs a goal, the Rangers starlet is a handy player to have at Clarke’s disposal. Watch this space.

Full Scotland squad

Goalkeepers – Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Craig Gordon (Hearts) and Liam Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders – Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers) and Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders – Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich) and Scott McTominay (Napoli).

Forwards – Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts) and Ross Stewart (Southampton).