Bolivia boss Oscar Villegas expects to win Saturday's friendly with Scotland. (National - subscription required), external
Forward Lawrence Shankland, 30, wanted a quick move from Hearts to Rangers so he would not be distracted while at the World Cup with Scotland. (Herald - subscription required), external
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland in New Jersey
Ferguson on Billy Gilmour's World Cup disappointment
Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson says he's "devastated" and "gutted" for close friend and international team-mate Billy Gilmour after a knee injury ruled the Napoli midfielder out of the World Cup finals.
Gilmour sustained the injury during Scotland's friendly win against Curacao last Saturday, with a scan later ruling him out of the tournament.
The Bologna captain missed Euro 2024 in Germany through a knee injury, so knows the emotions Gilmour is experiencing.
"I've known him for such a long time and we've watched each other grow and progress," Ferguson said, speaking before the national team's final warm-up match against Bolivia. "It was nice that we were preparing for a World Cup together.
"Once he got his results back, we just sort of left him alone because I think you need a bit of time to process it. It's a difficult one to take.
"I gave him a text the next morning and said that I'd been through similar. But yeah, just gutted for him because this was such a big opportunity."
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Sports Illustrated Stadium
Clarke shuts down talk of cotton wool treatment before Bolivia
Steve Clarke addressed the media before Scotland‘s final pre-World Cup friendly against Bolivia on Saturday in New Jersey.
Here are the key things the head coach said:
His priorities against Bolivia are “no injuries, performance and then result” as the head coach hopes to not lose any more players after Billy Gilmour’s injury in last weekend’s win against Curacao.
He says it is “a straightforward selection“ on Saturday as it’s about “preparation not protection“. “
"We can’t wrap players in cotton wool," he added. "You need to work. Injuries are part and parcel of football."
Clarke said he still has “16 decisions” to make for Scotland‘s tournament opener against Haiti next Sunday.
He added some fans have “a terrible habit of thinking these nations are not very good” but pointed to their thumping win over New Zealand on Tuesday as proof they‘re a “good, physical, technical” team.
There are no “major” concerns, just a few players with “little grumbling things”.
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Scotland striker James McFadden expects Steve Clarke to take an attacking approach during tomorrow's final World Cup warm-up match against Bolivia.
Clarke's side beat Curacao 4-1 at Hampden last weekend and now have one game on American soil before they take on Haiti in their Group C opener at Boston Stadium on 13 June.
"I think more of a focus on attacking, obviously making sure that you're solid defensively, but hopefully we get to see some of the young players again," McFadden told BBC Scotland.
"Findlay Curtis came on and did really well [against Curacao], scored a goal. Lawrence Shankland as well, so I think we will see more of an attack-minded focus on the game because we have to go and drive it that way."
McFadden isn't necessarily expecting Clarke to start a full-strength team against Haiti, but he believes some players who missed out against Curacao will return to the fold.
"Certainly you're looking at John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson - the guys that missed out - to get some game time," he said.
"I know it's been a long season for them but I would expect to see them.
"I think that he's certainly got a few things to think about, Steve Clarke, in terms of his team selection but I do think we're in a good place."
And after Scotland captain Andy Robertson's move to Spurs was confirmed, McFadden reckons sealing his move before the World Cup gets under way is a positive.
"I'm a bit surprised that he's gone to Spurs with the season they've had, but it allows him to focus on the World Cup," McFadden said.
"Not that he would be distracted anyway, he's a professional, but it means that he can settle, knowing where he's going to be next season."
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in New York
Alright, this is pretty cool.
We arrived in New York on Thursday for Scotland's final pre-tournament friendly against Bolivia on Saturday in New Jersey and it's safe to say the Big Apple has big World Cup fever.
Adverts and promos are cascading down Times Square, while there is official merchandise on every corner.
Media from all corners of the world were trying to get the perfect shot for their pieces to camera, but they were spoiled for choice of a backdrop.
King Kong was kicking about with a big flag that had wee flags of every competing nation on it, while Mario and Luigi were the only Italians in sight.
Coupla Scots sightseeing, but the ones we spoke to weren't out specifically for the football. That lot will be on their way shortly, though...
Image source, SNSLawrence Shankland says completing a "dream" move to Rangers has provided the ideal boost as he looks to sparkle for Scotland at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old striker ended his goal-laden Hearts career by making a surprise switch to Ibrox last week before netting a double in Scotland's 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Hampden.
In a Scottish FA interview in America before Saturday's friendly against Bolivia in New Jersey, Shankland said: "Obviously I finished the season pretty strong, so confidence was already high.
"To join my boyhood club, somewhere that I've always had a dream to play, and to get that opportunity, especially in the later stages of your career, I'm just happy and excited to get that opportunity.
"It can give you that wee boost and hopefully it does going into these games."
Shankland's transfer had to be hastily concluded before he joined up with the Scotland camp last week.
"Obviously, I was due to meet up with Scotland on the Tuesday but I had to delay to the Wednesday for my medicals and stuff," he said. "I felt like it was pretty important for me to get it done before I came here.
"I think when you come to a World Cup, you want to enjoy that experience. I don't think I wanted anything hanging over my head with my club football so I was quite keen to get things wrapped up.
"Obviously, it was a big decision for me, leaving Hearts. It's a great club. I've got a lot of good times and good memories there. But the opportunity to go and join Rangers is one that I couldn't really turn down.
"As I said, it was just important that I got that sorted before I came here. Then, full focus on the World Cup."
Shankland admitted he has allowed himself to dream of scoring at the World Cup. "I think everybody will," he said. "Everybody will aim to leave their stamp here.
"As a striker, that's what you're judged on so of course I'd love to get on the scoresheet at the World Cup. But as long as the team's winning and I'm playing my part that way, I'd be happy as well."
Shankland revealed a gift from skipper Andy Robertson reaffirmed how big a deal it is to represent Scotland at a World Cup.
"Andy actually left us a wee letter the other night and gave us a couple of wee gifts to say well done for being in the squad, etc," he said.
"The numbers on that, when he put the significance of how many people there are and how little people are in this squad, it was huge. That added to the importance of it."
Image source, SNSNathan Patterson has won 26 Scotland caps
Sheffield United are looking at a possible move for Everton and Scotland defender Nathan Patterson, 24. (Glasgow Times), external
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke admits Ben Gannon-Doak is "a little bit rusty" while fellow winger Findlay Curtis is "very confident" before Saturday's final World Cup warm-up against Bolivia. (Sun), external
Former Rangers captain and manager Barry Ferguson is eager to see how Curtis, 19, develops at Ibrox next season. (Record - subscription required), external
Meanwhile, Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn feels in "great shape" after limited club level opportunities this season. (Sun), external
Gunn, 30, admits it was "quite difficult to take" after a January move from Nottingham Forest failed to materialise. (Record - subscription required), external
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United's academy director Stephen Torpey has spoken of the immense pride felt at Old Trafford over Tyler Fletcher's shock World Cup call.
Fletcher was picked in the Scotland squad by coach Steve Clarke despite having just 17 minutes' experience of senior football prior to making his international bow in the friendly victory over Curacao at Hampden Park on 30 May.
Regardless of whether he plays at all in the United States, it means the 19-year-old will get this major tournament experience his dad, Darren, missed out on despite winning 80 caps for his country.
Fletcher elected to play for Scotland, while twin brother Jack has plumped for England, where the pair were born.
It means instead of going to the World Cup as a fan, Tyler will be among the United contingent playing in it – and Torpey couldn't be more delighted.
"There is an obvious pride there," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "As a parent myself, anytime your children do something they desire, you feel immense pride.
"But I am sure the family are as proud of Tyler today as they were before this opportunity came around because he is a lovely young person and great to have around our training ground, which is a credit to the family.
"Of course, it is not something you take for granted. It is a fantastic opportunity for him but hopefully, it is not the last one.
"How he conducts himself is really important but how he represents his family, his nation and his football club is something we are very confident about.
"Hopefully he gets a chance to show what he is about."
Hear more of BBC Radio Manchester's interview with Torpey below or listen on BBC Sounds here
Image source, SNSCoping with the searing heat and maintaining squad harmony will be two key ingredients for Scotland to enjoy a successful World Cup, reckons Graeme Sharp.
The 65-year-old played at the 1986 tournament in Mexico as Sir Alex Ferguson's side exited at the group stage after taking just one point from games against Denmark, West Germany and Uruguay.
"The conditions were really, really tough and the lads will find that again," said Sharp as he promoted the friendly between his former club Everton and Newcastle at Murrayfield on 12 August.
"That was the one thing that we found really tough, acclimatising to the conditions in Mexico. Sports science has moved on now, so they'll be better equipped than we were."
Sharp featured in a frustrating 0-0 draw against Uruguay after he was left out of the defeats by West Germany and Denmark.
"I think the most important thing is to keep everybody happy," he said. "Even in our time, Sir Alex was great. He made sure that, for instance, six players went with this coach, went out for a meal, six went with that coach, six went out with him, just to try and get a bond together.
"You look at the Scotland team now and they are bonded, I think they're very tight. You see their reactions when they qualified and the way the team are very close, so I think that stands them in good stead.
"In our time, it was a little bit different. It was a kind of 'them and us' situation, between the Anglos and the boys who played up in Scotland, and there wasn't really that mix together.
"I'm not saying that was the reason why we didn't qualify, but I found that quite strange, coming from a club atmosphere where everybody was all in it together."
Scotland begin their Group C campaign against Haiti and Morocco in Boston before meeting Brazil in Miami.
"The group could have been kinder but four points may be enough to see us through," said Sharp, who scored one international goal in 12 appearances.
"Brazil in the last game is going to be tough, so I think [head coach] Steve Clarke will be looking to do the job in the first two games and go into the Brazil game with the points already on the board."
Image source, Getty ImagesScotland have been warned.
Haiti - the opening World Cup opponents for Steve Clarke's side on 14 June - served notice they will be no pushovers with a 4-0 friendly thrashing of New Zealand.
Stephen McGowan, football writer for The Herald, was at the game in Miami and left impressed by the Caribbean nation.
"Haiti are a fast, powerful, very direct attacking team. They play off-the-cuff, flamboyant football, they don't really do conservatism, they don't sit in," said McGowan on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"That might be a good thing for Scotland because if you remember the Hungary game at the Euros, we didn't really cope very well with having to go on the front foot and attack and have a go.
"There will be space to run into, but defending against this team will be difficult because they have lots of attacking options.
"Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, Duckens Nazon was up front with him. And then they brought on a guy who played for Ferencvaros under Robbie Keane last season, actually scored a lot of goals, called Lenny Joseph, who scored the third goal. They've got real good attacking flair and options."
While McGowan described New Zealand - who featured Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood and Motherwell midfielder Elijah Just - as "terrible", he said Haiti's performance reinforced Steve Clarke's assertion that the side ranked 82 in the world are "not really a pot-four team".
"The elaborately named Ruben Providence, who scored a very good opening goal, is a former French Under-19 international and I think quite a few of their players fit into that category, including Isidor," McGowan added.
"They have drafted and assimilated lots of French players into their squad. They've managed to persuade a few players from the English Premier League. Thankfully, they didn't manage to get their hands on [former Celtic striker] Odsonne Edouard, who decided he would rather remain a Frenchman.
"But they have managed to strengthen their squad quite a bit. There was a watching Scotland contingent there tonight. There was Stephen Naismith, Alan Irvine, Scot Gemmill. Some of the analysts left 10 minutes from the end, but I think they had seen enough to tell them that this is not going to be an easy game.
"Haiti flowed with real attacking intensity. I think it's the only way they know how to play. And the key for Scotland will be can they exploit the defensive frailties in a way New Zealand simply couldn't."
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, PAIt's one of the most important parts of any international camp.
No, not day one, rest day or even match day. It's golf day.
After arriving in Florida on Sunday, the Scotland squad had a light session on Monday in the blistering heat and humidity to loosen up the muscles and recover following their flight from Glasgow.
While that was key, it wasn't anywhere near as important as heading to one of the best courses around - the PGA National - for a round.
Highly anticipated, highly competitive and an ultimately highly disappointing end made for an interesting afternoon.
Play was well under way, and going fairly well for most - not Findlay Curtis and partner George Hirst, the less said on that the better it appears - before the fluctuating Florida weather wreaked havoc.
The players were on, off, on and off again for good as an almighty thunderstorm - which actually diverted our flight into Miami on Monday - brought proceedings to an abrupt end.
For some, it was a get out of free jail card - looking at you, Findlay and George - while seasoned campaigner and assistant coach Steven Naismith was not so pleased, apparently.
Jack Hendry was partnered with Andrew Smith, one of the team's masseurs, and the defender admitted he would "have a sore back from carrying me".
"I didn't turn up and as I was just getting warm the thunderstorm struck so that was a bit of a shame," the 31-year said.
"He'll have a sore back from carrying me! We did well and I think when we got cut short we were one up so it was a good performance... from him.
"These things are very important for the group, the camaraderie, to come out here and enjoy ourselves, to relax a little bit, not get caught too much up in what's around the corner and create that really good team environment which has always been there.
"The manager's been great with us, letting us do these kind of things."
