“It is Testament to How Far This Team Has Come” – McKenna Praises Scottish Togetherness Factor
Scotland defender Scott McKenna hailed the unity of the current crop of players within the national setup as a big factor in the squad’s qualification for the World Cup. The 29-year-old played the first half of his nation’s 4-1 home win over Curacao, making him one cap shy of his 50th. Having made his debut amongst inexperienced internationalists in 2018, McKenna feels the creation of a team has been paramount to Scotland’s qualifiers success. He said: “When we went to Peru and Mexico [in 2018], we were the team playing in a send off for them, and when we were playing Mexico, I think between the starting 11 we had less than 30 caps. “And I think now, we’d struggle to find anyone in our starting 11 with less than 30 caps, so it’s a sign of how far this team’s coming in terms of togetherness. The gaffer [Steve Clarke] has also been very loyal to us, trying to build that squad feeling. “The group has really grown since then [Mexico], in terms of getting that winning mentality, finding a way to win. Even during this last qualifying campaign, we were terrible in games, [such as] Belarus at home. “They are the sort of games in the past we might not have won but we managed to grind through it and find a way to win. So yeah, it is testament to how far this team has come.” McKenna, who was part of both squads for the 2021 and 2024 European Championships, believes that this summer is a perfect platform to erase the disappointments from those campaigns and progress from the group stage. “Of course we can [qualify], of course we can. But that is the test that everyone is setting us just now, we need to try and rise to that challenge. “I don’t think there is any doubt in that at all [that the squad could have given a better account of themselves at previous tournaments]. “I think the start to the last campaign made it difficult, a point to Switzerland gave ourselves a chance, and then the last day we just didn’t quite do enough to give ourselves any chances really. “But we’re going there to definitely try do better.” The Dinamo Zagreb defender, who comes into this tournament off the back of a Croatian league and cup double, also feels that the Croatian culture towards football has helped the nation develop into a one of Europe’s most competitive sides, despite having a similar population pool to Scotland. “In Croatia, certainly Dinamo, they just keep bringing players through the academy. “The conveyer belt they keep producing, there’s no club in Scotland that has produced anything like that, and I think population wise, we’re much the same. “Maybe [it is] a culture thing as well? But yeah, hopefully I can go into the academy, watch a few sessions and see what their process is because they definitely know how to do it properly.”
“I Think He Can” – McLean Backs Shankland to Make Number 9 Jersey His Own
Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean believes Lawrence Shankland has what it takes to be the main man for the country at this summer’s World Cup. The 30-year-old scored twice in Scotland’s 4-1 win over Curacao at Barclays Hampden, with new club teammate at Rangers Findlay Curtis and Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie scoring either side of his double. And Norwich player of the season McLean feels the striker has staked his claim to lead the Scottish line in America. McLean said: “I think he can [be Scotland’s starting striker]. “Again he showed a clinic in finishing, that’s what he’s always done no matter where he’s been. “He was at a level where he was way better than for a long time, he’s now done really well at Hearts, got his move to Rangers. “I think he’s got so much more to give again, I think he’ll improve again. He’s so much more than goals but that’s what you want from a striker. It’s obviously great for his confidence, which helps us.” The pair played together at Aberdeen and despite Shankland never netting in the Granite City, McLean could see glimpses of the striker he has became back then. “He was similar to what he is [now], he’s always been what he is. “I think people would have saw him at Ayr and Dundee United and stuff like that, he’s always been that player, so you know what you’re getting from Lawrence and that’s going to be between the sticks. “I think over the last couple of years he has brought so much more to his game, and he has obviously with Hearts dropped into the ten and played with [Claudio] Braga. “He links the team so well, and again it’s something else that the manager can look at, to play him with somebody else, but between the sticks he’s ruthless, and that’s what you want from a striker.” Manager Steve Clarke signed a four-year contract extension with Scotland before the friendly with Curacao, and McLean is delighted that any speculation surrounding his future in the summer has been put to bed. “I think in every interview you see from the players, you know exactly what we think of the manager. We’ve been together a long time, we’ve achieved a lot. “Over the moon for him to still be here for that length of time, but it’s not been spoken out really within the squad. We’re just happy that he’s here for now, we knew he was going to be here for the summer, that was the main focus. “Obviously to get that sorted, it’s amazing for everybody because as I said, everybody’s got the same opinion on the manager, I’m sure.” The Scotland squad jetted off to the USA today ahead of their final pre-tournament friendly against Bolivia on Saturday, before kicking-off the country’s first World Cup match in 28 years against Haiti at 2am UK time on June 14th.
