Steve Clarke relishing chance to create history as countdown to World Cup has Scotland boss purring with excitement
The national team head coach has announced his list of 26 players he will take to North America this summer
Like the majority of the Tartan Army, head coach Steve Clarke finds himself counting down the days to Scotland making their long-awaited return to the biggest stage in world football.
The national team boss announced his final 26-man squad for this summer’s major tournament on Tuesday after whittling down a provisional list of 55 players that all competing national associations were asked to submit to the world’s governing body, FIFA earlier this month. The Scottish FA were not required to make that public.
In the event of a serious injury or illness, Clarke will have the option to replace a player with someone from the provisional squad no later than 24 hours before their team’s first group stage match.
The Scots will begin their World Cup campaign in Boston against Haiti on June 14 as the Tartan Army prepares to descend on their first major finals since 1998. Scotland then take on Morocco on June 19, before facing off against Brazil on June 24.
With just 26 days to go until the tournament gets underway, Clarke admits excitement is building as he bids to create another slice of history by helping Scotland reach the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time after 12 previous failed attempts.
“From November, the magnitude of the event has become more clear to me,” he said at a Hampden press conference following his squad announcement. “As I was travelling across America or every time I come up to Scotland, everybody is very excited about it. I understand the magnitude of the tournament and the responsibility we’ve got to go there and produce our very best. That’s what we’ll aim to do.
“It's been a great year (for Scottish football). The most competitive Scottish Premiership in a long time. It's good to see. Obviously, the national team qualifying for the World Cup after 28 years. I think the feel-good factor there is something that we have to try and build on.
“I’ve got great confidence in the players and hopefully we can do what no Scotland team has done before.
“I've always got that belief. I've been in football a long time and I know that if you do things properly, you believe in what you're doing, and you get a little bit of luck, which sometimes you need in football… All the good managers, all the good head coaches are good at what they do, they're good at their job, but they also carry a little bit of luck all the time.”
Who’s in and out of Scotland squad?
Clarke stated last month that he was “more of less set” on the 26 names he intended to take to the finals. Known for his loyalty towards players who have been trusted members of previous squads in recent years, mainstays such as captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour will all play a vital role in the dressing room.
Veteran Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who last made an appearance for Derek McInnes’ side back in January, makes the final cut along with Southampton’s in-form striker Ross Stewart, who has caught the eye again after a four-year hiatus from the squad, mainly due to serious injuries.
Rangers winger Findlay Curtis, who was promoted from the Under-21 squad for the first time in March, has also booked his golden ticket on the plane following an impressive end to the season on loan at Kilmarnock.
As for notable absentees, Liam Kelly is favoured over Scott Bain for the third goalkeeping position, while Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway misses out through injury. Former Motherwell midfield starlet Lennon Miller has also been omitted on account of Clarke taking more defensive cover and an additional forward option. Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie and ex-Hibs frontman Kieron Bowie may also feel hard done.
26-man Scotland squad in full
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly
Defenders: Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Dom Hyam, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney
Midfielders: Ryan Christie, Findlay Curtis, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon-Doak, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay
Forwards: Ché Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland, George Hirst, Ross Stewart