Steve Clarke has backed the experience of his squad, stating he “understands the responsibility” of leading the nation to their first World Cup in 28 years.

Speaking at Hampden following the squad announcement, the manager expressed his excitement for the tournament but admitted the selection process had taken its toll.

“You’ve got to think a lot about it, make sure you get the balance right. I feel we’ve done that. Everybody knows the way I work.

“I don’t think there was any point in building experience over the squad, we’ve done that, this is the group of players who understand how to qualify for major tournaments.

“Hopefully the experience of the boys who have been to major tournaments before will come to the fore and we’ll do something no Scottish team has done before.”

Clarke’s goalkeeping trio included veteran Craig Gordon. The manager praised the 43-year-old’s “resilience” after recovering from another injury scare.

“Always difficult when you have goalkeepers not playing regularly.

“As long as they are working to their maximum in training, you feel they can come in and play for a number of games.

“We’ve had good reports back from Hearts, he’s training very well, he assures us he’s fully fit.

“He’s shown a tremendous resilience. He deserves to be there. If he was to struggle, we have the option to change them.

The squad includes Southampton striker Ross Stewart, who makes a return to the international fore for the first time in four years.

“It’s a good story, Ross. He was in my squad a few years ago, showed he could come up to this level.

“He’s had a terrible run with injury, but from January onwards he’s hit a rich vein of form.

“He’s shown he can score big goals in big games. The Arsenal game in the cup showed he can have an impact on games of that level.

“He’s a striker in form, so I decided to add him to the group.

“I put a lot of importance on characters in the group. You need good relationships.”

Lawrence Shankland also made the cut, despite enduring a difficult weekend for Hearts in their title showdown against Celtic. Clarke understands that the result will sting the striker, but believes he will be ready to have an “impact” this summer.

I’ve got no fears about any of my players leading the line.

“Lawrence and his club have had a fantastic season, obviously it ended in a bit of heartbreak at the weekend.

“In my experience, footballers are very resilient. It will take him a few days and a few conversations. He needs to decompress a little bit now and be ready to have an impact on the World Cup this summer.”

Behind every World Cup selection lies the heartbreak of those left behind. Clarke opened up about the five incredibly difficult conversations he had to deliver, including breaking the bad news to youngster Lennon Miller.

“I had five very difficult conversations [with players who didn’t make it].

“I know how they’ll be feeling. [Lennon Miller] had been in a few squads, maybe felt he was going to be a regular.

“I felt with the balance of the midfield it was better to take an extra forward than a midfield player.”

Findlay Curtis backed up his March call-up by securing a place in the final squad. The Rangers youngster, who joined Kilmarnock on loan in January, clearly boosted his chances with a strong run of form. Clarke joked that he hopes the midfielder is “jumping around the living room” after learning he made the cut.

“I don’t tell them, I let their clubs tell them. I just put the squad out this morning.

“Findlay was hopefully jumping around the living room, or wherever he is in the world. He’s probably on holiday.

“Impressions when I brought him in in March – he fitted in very well. He’s got something a little bit different to what we’ve got.

“He’s shown he can score a goal, he’s finished the season in a great place and it’s nice to have a young one in the squad.”

Scotland Squad for 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly.

Defenders: Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Dom Hyam, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney.

Midfielders: Ryan Christie, Findlay Curtis, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon-Doak, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay.

Forwards: Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland, Ross Stewart.