Scotland Men's Football Team

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Scotland veteran Craig Gordon admits he thought he had missed his chance to play at a World Cup finals.

Now 43, the out-of-contract Hearts goalkeeper will be the oldest player at this summer's tournament - and the second oldest ever - having come through a series of injury setbacks throughout his long career.

"Oh, without a doubt I thought this opportunity would pass me by on more than one occasion," Gordon said.

"So to finally be here, to be part of something this big, to finally see it, it's a huge moment for any player in their career.

"And especially for me. For the many years, I've been trying to get here, to finally be here on the edge of the tournament starting properly. It's a fantastic feeling.

"It feels like it's getting real now. The first few weeks have been preparation, everything's been going really well. And now we're finally here, we're the last few days away from getting into the games for real now."

Nottingham Forest's Angus Gunn played the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 4-0 win over Bolivia, while Gordon and Rangers' Liam Kelly played a half each in the previous 4-1 defeat of Curacao.

However, Gordon says head coach Steve Clarke has not dropped any hints about who will be the number one pick for the World Cup.

"There's been no indication," he insisted while stressing he feels the squad is "ready".

A key factor to that is the special bond the players have, plus the blend of experience and youth.

"I think that's been growing for the last few years," Gordon added. "The squad, both on and off the pitch, has just been getting better and better.

"And for me to see these young guys coming through really shows what the future holds for the national team. So it's great to see them coming in and know that the future is also going to be strong.

"It feels as if we're strong now, but also these guys coming in and getting a taste of it at this early age is only going to stand them in good stead for their careers and their futures and the good of the national team as a whole."

Image source, PA Media

Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam says John McGinn is "a certain starter" in the World Cup opener against Haiti.

Aston Villa midfielder McGinn, 31, was left out of the starting line-up in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia, coming on as a second-half substitute.

"John McGinn's a certain starter for me," Adam told BBC Radio Scotland.

"He's been terrific for Scotland, amassed over 80 caps, it's incredible. He'll be a focal point for us in the team.

"He'll drive the team with his energy and his real athleticism that he's got and powerful running so I expect him to play and be a big part in what Scotland's going to do in the next two to three weeks."

Adam also expects John Souttar and Scott McKenna to make up Scotland's central defence. Souttar came on for the final 10 minutes against Bolivia while McKenna did not feature.

"McKenna and Souttar are the ones for me," Adam said. "It gives you nice balance. They've played a lot together recently and hopefully they can get a clean sheet and build on that and that's how we can win that first game and give us the confidence to go forward.

"If we can win that then it gives us a good stepping stone. I expect Brazil to win the group, win every game. The Moroccans are not going to be easy either.

"There's no easy game. This Haiti game will not be easy but I expect us to get through it. Four points would be expectational to get us to the knockout stages."

Image source, PA Media

Kris Doolan believes Scotland head coach Steve Clarke's first priority is to "protect the herd".

A training-ground friendly with Norway on Monday was cancelled, with Clarke saying "it wasn't worth the risk". Norway head coach Stale Solbakken said Clarke was "unprofessional".

"This happens at club level a lot if they're arranging behind closed doors games," former Partick Thistle manager Doolan told the BBC's latest Scottish Football Podcast.

"Things change, plans change, things within the squad. The manager's job is to protect the herd. That's what Steve Clarke's doing."

Meanwhile, Doolan believes Lawrence Shankland should start Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti on Sunday after three goals in his past two international appearances.

Rangers' latest signing opened the scoring in Saturday's 4-0 win over Bolivia, with Che Adams netting twice. Lyndon Dykes set up one of Shankland's goals in the 4-1 defeat of Curacao and George Hirst is also in the World Cup squad.

"He doesn't want four strikers all the same and I think he's chosen well," former striker Doolan said of head coach Clarke.

"The two boys, Shankland and Che Adams, to use a phrase, they've timed their run well because they've just scored the goals. That's got everybody wanting them to play together.

"They've showed that they can play together. I think they're the two we'll start with. I believe it's Shankland and A.N other. We only have to create one or two really good chances and he's the guy who can finish."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Atrium Health Performance Park, North Carolina

Image source, PA Media

"Everyone is excited, we're no different."

Scotland vice-captain John McGinn was in fine form following Scotland's first training session in the scorching Charlotte sun.

Steve Clarke’s side were in Fort Lauderdale last week acclimatising to the sweltering conditions, before heading north to New York for Saturday’s friendly against Bolivia.

“I think it feels different to last week because you're starting to get used to it," John McGinn said on the heat here in Charlotte.

"Last week your hands are on your knees and you see clips of England training, those boys are the same, so it's about trying to adapt as quickly as possible.

"But when the real stuff starts on Saturday it doesn't matter what temperature it is, Scotland at a World Cup can turn it up even more.

"We're just absolutely delighted to be a part of it after so long and if we can just keep raising those standards every day, we'll give ourselves the best possible chance of doing something we haven't done before."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Atrium Health Performance Park, North Carolina

It feels like the first day of school.

We've arrived at Charlotte FC's training ground, which will be Scotland's base camp for their first World Cup in 28 years.

While it's the place the players and staff will be calling home, it's also where the Scottish media will be spending most of the next three weeks, getting a look at training as well as having the chance to speak to members of the squad.

We all got a lovely welcome this morning, with a wee goody bag. A bucket hat, some cheese popcorn - not for me - and some factor 50 sun cream. All about knowing your audience.

There's plenty working space, with individual booths - which include a mirror - so we can get our head down and bring you the best from the Scotland camp.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Duckens Nazon will be a danger to Scotland in Saturday's World Cup Group C opener with his "shoot on sight" mentality, former St Mirren team-mate Ryan Flynn has warned.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Oldham Athletic striker Nazon, now with Esteghlal in the Persian Gulf Pro League club, had a spell in the Scottish Premiership alongside Flynn on loan from Sint-Truiden.

"He's a real talisman to be fair for them watching from afar and just following his progress," the Arbroath midfielder told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast.

Nazon scored just twice in 12 appearances for St Mirren in 2019 and was sent off in extra time after coming on as a substitute in their penalty shoot-out relegation play-off victory over Dundee United.

However, the France-born 32-year-old has found the net an impressive 44 times in 82 appearances for Haiti.

"He's a player that shoots on sight, that's for sure," Flynn recalled. "Whether it's training games, if he sees the goal, he shoots on sight.

"It can be erratic at times, but on that, if you don't shoot, you don't score. I think he's got that mentality that, if he gets a quarter of a chance, he's letting one go and on the odd occasion it does go in.

"But, for Haiti, he's pulled off some real upsets and they've beat some top nations along the way.

"And [Bastia goalkeeper] Johny Placide, the captain, I played with him at Oldham actually, so it'll be interesting seeing those guys."

Image source, SNS

John McGinn has been tipped to start in Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti in place of Ryan Christie by former international team-mate Ryan Jack.

Aston Villa 31-year-old McGinn started on the bench in Saturday's 4-0 win over Bolivia, replacing his Bouremouth counterpart on the left of a midfield four after the break.

"For me, John is going to play," Esenler Erokspor midfielder Jack, who was part of Steve Clarke's squad for the Euro 2024 finals, told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast.

"It looks like Steve is going to go 4-4-2 for the first game. I think he will want [Ben] Gannon-Doak on the left for his pace and creativity, so maybe John will come in for Ryan. He made that change in the friendly.

"It is a good selection headache to have."

Former Hearts and Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson, who has just taken over as head coach with Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Peng City, thinks McGinn has to play given his strong campaign helping Aston Villa finish fourth in the Premier League and winning the Europa League.

"Probably the reason why John McGinn didn't start the game is because he's had injuries throughout the season," he told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think they might put John on the right-hand side because he played there for Aston Villa in the cup final I think. Put him there, put Doke on the left because he's comfortable out there."

Arbroath midfielder Ryan Flynn agreed that McGinn must start ahead of Christie but suggested "I've got a sneaky feeling it might be Kenny McLean beside Scott McTominay in the middle" instead of Lewis Ferguson, with John McGinn on the left.

Image source, PA Media

It would be a big surprise if Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams did not start up front together in Scotland's opening group game at the World Cup, according to former international striker Kenny Miller.

Striker Shankland, who has joined Rangers from Hearts this summer, scored one and provided an assist before Torino's Adams scored a double in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia as head coach Steve Clarke adopted a 4-4-2 formation again after the 4-1 defeat of Curacao.

"I would be very surprised - he has played that formation for these two preparation games - if he doesn't stick with it for the opener," Miller told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast.

"It makes sense and he's looked at a couple of different combinations within that.

"I think the performance on Saturday with Lawrence and Che - and the fact they were both on the scoresheet - means I would be very surprised if it wasn't those two against Haiti.

"What I will say is that there are a lot of good players in the attacking positions for Scotland. You have Lyndon Dykes, who's has been a big Steve Clarke favourite over the years, and with [George] Hirst and [Ross] Stewart coming into the squad as well, there's a lot of options.

"However, the season Lawrence has had as well, he is our best chance for goals. When chances come along, he is very clinical and he's off the back of a wonderful season."

The two friendly wins have strengthened Miller's belief that they can "make history" by becoming the first Scotland side to progress to the knock-out stages of a major tournament but believes Clarke might revert to one striker for the perceived harder tasks to come against Morocco and Brazil.

"You might see a number of formations during the course of the three group games," he added.

"He could revert to a back three/back five for the second or third game. There is a lot of flexibility within the squad."

Image source, Getty Images

James McFadden feels guilty about suggesting it, but the former Scotland forward wonders whether John McGinn might find himself left out of the starting line-up in the opening World Cup game against Haiti on Saturday.

McGinn has been pivotal not only for Scotland but in helping Aston Villa finish fourth in the Premier League and win the Europa League this season.

But the 31-year-old midfielder was a substitute as Scotland eased aside Bolivia 4-0 in their final pre-tournament friendly on Saturday.

"It is a nice problem for [head coach] Steve Clarke to have," McFadden said on BBC Scotland's Sportsound. "I know we don't get carried away with friendlies, but how they performed yesterday, I think it will be as close to the team that started that game.

"The big question is John McGinn. Where does John McGinn come into it? Does John McGinn come into it?

"He's been so good, but look at the performance. The relationship between [Ryan] Christie and [Andy] Robertson I thought was outstanding.

"[Ben] Gannon-Doak and [Aaron] Hickey have this relationship as well and then you've got [Scott] McTominay and [Lewis] Ferguson who were excellent in midfield.

"[Lawrence] Shankland and [Che] Adams have to play together for me. The way the team is set up really suits having the two strikers.

"If you are going to have two strikers, without a shadow of a doubt one of them has to be Lawrence Shankland because of his all-round game, because of his finishing, but also his intelligence to play the game, whether it's with the ball, or going in challenging, being that out ball but also the trigger to press.

"I think we have to play two strikers and Shankland has to be one of them and Adams played well with him.

"He's come in for a lot of criticism, Che Adams, during his time as a Scotland striker, but I think that link-up between those two was really effective both with and without the ball.

"So often we have been reliant on McGinn getting us a goal. Now you are looking unbelievably, and I feel bad for saying it, does he start the game and, if he does, who do you leave out?"

Former Scotland full-back Callum Davidson thinks McGinn has to start.

"It is a big call that one," he said. "I agree with you on Shankland and Adams - I think they both suit each other. Shankland's really good dropping into the game and bringing other players into it and Che Adams, he stretches the game really well.

"But, for me, you have to play John McGinn. I think he's a talisman, he's a fantastic player, so I think you have to fit him in the team somewhere."

Image source, Getty

Norway have confirmed a training match against Scotland on Monday has been cancelled because of a couple of minor fitness concerns in Steve Clarke's squad.

The closed-doors game - which was due to be played at Scotland's training camp in Charlotte - was set up to give fringe players of each team game time before the World Cup.

But Norway, who face Scotland's group opponents Morocco in a friendly in New Jersey on Sunday (20:00 BST), have been informed the bounce game is now off.

Norway manager Stale Solbakken said: "The idea of playing Scotland was that we could get some minutes in the legs of the guys who don't play in the Morocco game. The cancellation means I will make more changes in our game against Morocco."

Norwegian FA media manager Morten Morisbak Skjonsberg said: "It is a poorly-kept secret that we were supposed to play a training match against Scotland on Monday.

"Today we learned that Scotland unfortunately had to withdraw from the agreement due to injuries."

Speaking later on Sunday, Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said: "It was just going to be a training game for an hour at our training ground.

"We picked up one or two niggles last week and decided it wasn't worth the risk."