Predicting the 26-man Scotland World Cup squad
Steve Clarke will name his final 26-man squad tomorrow ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup since 1998. Historically Clarke has been loyal to his core of players, especially those who have qualified for three of the last four major tournaments after Scotland went over 20 years without making one prior to his arrival. Here’s the men I think will be on the plane to the USA this summer, with some explanation as to why. Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly, Scott Bain- Thankfully Bain’s injury doesn’t seem too serious, despite missing the end of the season he should be back for the World Cup. He’s certainly earned his seat on the plane after 39 appearances for Falkirk who secured sixth place on their return to the Premiership. As for the other two, they have a combined four appearances all season. If he hadn’t been injured there would have been a case for Craig Gordon, not only for his hand in Scotland qualifying against Denmark, but also as a reward for his excellent playing career. Centrebacks: Scott McKenna, John Souttar, Jack Hendry, Dominic Hyam, Stephen Welsh- Whilst David Gray said it was “too early to tell” the extent of Grant Hanley’s injury, it didn’t look pretty so you’d imagine he’d be ruled out of the World Cup too. Hyam made 47 appearances this season as Wrexham pushed for the play-offs. As for Welsh, he’s coming off the best season of his career at Motherwell and probably warrants a call-up regardless of injuries. Ryan Porteous could be an additional option. The ex-Hibs defender has only played one minute for the national team since his sending off in the EURO 2024 opener, but has enjoyed a promising start to the season at LAFC, even getting the Man of the Match award in a 3-0 win against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Fullbacks: Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, Aaron Hickey, Harry Milne- Hickey missed out on the last squad but replaces Nathan Patterson for me. Despite impressing in the Japan match, Patterson just hasn’t played enough minutes this season, whilst Hickey offers more versatility and has featured more. As for Milne, he’s been exceptional for Hearts this season and has shown he can play on either flank. Midfielders: Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn, Lennon Miller, Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean–No surprises here. Forwards: Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams, Findlay Curtis, Ben Gannon-Doak, Kieron Bowie, Lawrence Shankland- A lot has been made of Clarke’s loyalty to his players- so Adams and Dykes are no-brainers, especially with the latter missing EURO 2024. In my opinion, Shankland should be the leading #9 this summer. His consistency over the years can’t be matched by any other forward and he’s fresh off the back of a 20-goal campaign where Hearts nearly won the title. Findlay Curtis has done well for Kilmarnock this season and one of Scotland’s most promising players Gannon-Doak is returning from injury just in time for the World Cup. Personally, I’d take Bowie over George Hirst, who hasn’t impressed in a Scotland shirt for me. The Hellas Verona forward has scored four times since his move to Italy, which doesn’t jump out until you look further. Since his debut, Verona have only scored seven goals, with over half coming from Bowie. He’s also only played 13 games, so he’s averaging a goal in just under every three games, which isn’t bad going for a side that was destined for relegation since his arrival. Additionally, he netted nine times for Hibs prior to his January departure, so all-in-all it’s a respectable season in-front of goal for the forward. He’s also got experience playing out wide, which isn’t an area Scotland are blessed in, whilst he’s unlikely to operate on the wing at the World Cup, it’s an option that could be looked at if times get desperate. In an interview earlier this month Steve Clarke said that his squad was more or less finalised, with only two spots left up for grabs. However, injuries to players such as Hanley and Tommy Conway may have shaken up the Scotland Boss’ thinking ahead of tomorrow’s 12pm announcement.
Arfield “grateful for experience” as interim Livi spell ends
Scott Arfield insists he still has a strong appetite to play at 37, and believes crucial changes are required if Livingston is to make an immediate return to the Scottish Premiership. Arfield led Livingston for their final three matches on an interim basis. Sunday’s thumping defeat to Kilmarnock brought the curtain down on a difficult season for the Lions. Speaking at full-time, the interim coach praised their opponents and offered a ruthless summary of the changes needed at The Home of the Set Fare Arena this summer. “Kilmarnock were really good, moving the ball with complete and utter fluidity and flexibility. We got a good goal, we were brilliant for 20 minutes, causing problems. “[The club is] in a period of large transition. The biggest thing is [the board] needs to get it right. They need to, because the Championship is a tough league to get out of. “This needs to kick on in the next two or three weeks. Get ready for pre-season and the Cup competitions, and hit the ground running to get the calibre of player through these doors to get the club back to the top division. “It’s not always in a playing capacity. It’s behind the scenes. It’s the personalities within a club that make a difference when the going gets tough. “Of course, you want to play amazing football with good football players, but the actual desire and the hunger to make a difference sometimes far exceeds the actual technicality of a football player.” Speaking on his own future, Arfield was upbeat on his experience as interim coach, and will regroup after his 20th season in professional football. “I don’t actually know. I’ve no idea. I just wanted to get to this stage in the season, to get to this today and then reassess the options in the summer. If it is here, then obviously I’ll do my best to get the club back up. If it isn’t, then I’m very grateful for the experience, both as a player and in this interim role.”
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week: Paying tribute to Paul McGrillen and Chris Mitchell
Mental health is something every man struggles with on a daily basis but some are too afraid to speak up. Male suicides are three times higher than female suicides and approximately 75% of all suicides in the United Kingdom are from men. The highest risk age in England for male suicide is between 50-54, at a 26.8 per 100,000. According to a Scottish government report, one in three people are impacted by mental health in any one year in Scotland. Two well known Scottish footballers Chris Mitchell and Paul McGrillen sadly took their own lives. McGrillen played in Scotland for 19 years and lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991 with Motherwell. On 29 of July 2009, the football star was found in his home, as a result of hanging and never left a note. Mitchell played with Falkirk, Ayr United, Bradford City, Queen of the South and Clyde. Due to complications from surgery for spinal injury meant that he went from playing professionally for Queen of the South to part-time for Clyde whilst working a job in a factory. After completely leaving the sport, he admitted to his family that he was depressed and started seeing a psychologist and was placed on medication but stopped taking them due to the side effects. On 7 May 2016, Mitchell phoned his partner saying he was planning on killing himself and the call was still live whilst he was hit by a train. In 2018, Paul’s brother Alan, spoke about what football clubs can do in order to combat mental illness: “Mental health is at the forefront of everybody’s minds. We’ve had many players and ex-players speak about the battle they’ve had with depression. “It’s also in the stands. The people who are working day to day and who are providing their kids with a strip and a season ticket to go and support their team. “A year after Paul died, Gary Speed committed suicide. I had wrote away to the SFA asking if we could get a Show Racism the Red Card type campaign throughout the full of Scottish football to start with. “If you get that campaign and awareness through every club, not just to support the players on the park, but to support the people who pay their hard earned cash to walk into a stadium. “The SFA and the rest of Scottish football really has to take this on board and try and run with it. This issue won’t go away. We won’t save everybody, but if we can reach out to one or two people, then that campaign does it job. “These clubs are worth millions of pounds. They need to have a bit more due care and attention and promote this. I think it will actually save lives.” If you’re struggling with your mental health, get in contact with Men Matter Scotland as their aim is to improve men’s mental health and wellbeing through peer to peer support to help prevent suicide. Join us on the 10th July for a special evening hosted by SNN Sports, bringing people together for a night of football, honest conversation, and support for Men Matter Scotland. Tickets and tables now available – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/snnsports/2199675 How to get in touch: 01419447900 contact@menmatterscotland.org Office hours Mon-Fri 10:30-21:00 Service Area Glasgow and surrounding area
