After 28 years of waiting, Steve Clarke will name the first men's Scotland XI to play at a World Cup – and the head coach faces several tough decisions following encouraging warm-up wins.
Following back-to-back four-goal victories against Curacao and Bolivia, many expect Clarke to stick with the same front-footed 4-4-2 formula against Haiti in Boston. Former Scotland striker Kenny Miller said he would be "very surprised" if Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams do not spearhead the attack. "Clarke has played that formation for these two preparation games," Miller said. "It makes sense and he's looked at a couple of different combinations within that. The performance on Saturday with Shankland and Adams – and the fact they were both on the scoresheet – means I would be very surprised if it wasn't those two."
“Steve Clarke must decide his starting XI for Scotland's first men's World Cup match in 28 years against Haiti.”
In midfield, Ryan Christie and Lewis Ferguson are likely battling for the final spot if Aston Villa captain John McGinn returns to the XI. Scott McTominay, who trained after a stomach upset, is expected to start – tummy trouble permitting. Captain Andy Robertson and Aaron Hickey seem certainties at full-back, while winger Ben Gannon-Doak is also tipped to be in the line-up.
There is uncertainty in central defence after Scott McKenna missed out with a calf issue. John Souttar, Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry all received minutes in the two friendlies, leaving Clarke a decision or two to make. In goal, Angus Gunn is assumed to be first pick after playing the full 90 minutes against Bolivia.
With three points and a reasonable goal difference potentially enough to progress from the group, Scotland know the significance of beating the lowest-ranked nation in their group. The historic occasion – the first men's World Cup match for Scotland in 28 years – adds further weight to every choice Clarke makes.