The Scotland Team
For this match, Angus Gunn is in goal. Lawrence Shankland, Andy Robertson, Aaron Hickey, Ben Gannon-Doak, and Ryan Christie remain from last weekend’s game against Curacao. However, expect numerous changes. Gunn, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Lewis Ferguson, and Che Adams are the players coming into the lineup.
Scotland: Gunn, Hickey, Robertson, McTominay, Hanley, Adams, Christie, Hendry, Gannon-Doak, Ferguson, Shankland. Subs: Kelly, Gordon, Tierney, McGinn, Fletcher, Dykes, Stewart, Souttar, Hyam, Hirst, Patterson, McLean, Ralston, Curtis, McKenna.
Manager Steve Clarke is pragmatic in his approach but it would be surprising if he does not start with two strikers for the opening game against Haiti. A victory there would give Scotland a genuine chance of progressing from the first round for the first time. There is also a lingering reason for Clarke to at least appear bold; he faced criticism from supporters for negative tactics in a must-win match against Hungary at the last Euros.
A more defensive style is likely and understandable against Morocco and Brazil, who are simply stronger teams than Scotland. Clarke’s team can be effective in such situations; they are well drilled and possess a counterattacking threat.
Ewan Murray is covering Scotland at the World Cup and will report on this game from New Jersey. All attention is on Haiti.
Clarke insists he cannot alter plans on account of potential fitness setbacks.
“Do you want to wrap them in cotton wool and [they] don’t train?” Clarke asked. “You need to work. Injuries are part and parcel of football. When it happens, especially when it happens in the circumstances it happened to Billy, it is really disappointing. Everybody has got to take a deep breath and move forward again. That is what we will do.”
Harrison, New Jersey, hosts this warm-up match for Steve Clarke’s squad. Expect to see numerous substitutions and hope for no further injuries following Billy Gilmour’s ruling out last week. This is the final match before the game against Haiti in a week’s time, providing a chance to acclimatise and get used to the conditions.
Bolivia are not among the 48 finalists, having lost to Iraq in the intercontinental playoffs. Their last World Cup appearance was in 1994, and it has been a long time since the era of Erwin “Platini” Sanchez and Marco Etcheverry, the latter a legend in MLS history. Scotland are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and this match represents the last step before facing Haiti.
Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm Scotland time / 4pm Eastern time.
