Super_Scotlandfan

In our last squad of 25 he picked 4 goalies and 1 too many centre backs, I think knowing that Hanley was injured. Since then Paterson, Ferguson and Armstrong are ruled out, McGregor is apparently fit and Hickey is hoping to be fit. So he’ll likely drop Kelly and Hanley to make it 23, swap McGregor for Ferguson and call up an attacking midfielder to replace Armstrong. I think this will likely be Fraser who Clarke knows and has played ok this season. So using that squad as a template it’ll be: Goalkeepers: Zander Clark, Craig Gordon (both Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich) Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad), Aaron Hickey Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Callum McGregor, Ryan Fraser Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts) Only player in danger is Ralston due to lack of minutes. If it’s a 26 man squad he’ll probably just pick an extra defender, a central midfielder and a striker/winger Probably Max Johnston or McCrorie as a RWB. Not too sure on the midfielder. He’s liked Turnbull before, Jack might be fit or he might try to tempt Anderson again. Gauld would be my pick. Not sure on the striker/winger either. He’s liked McBurnie in the past or he might be rogue and pick Doak, but Forrest is more likely.

McKenna didn’t get off the bench for Copenhagen today. Don’t think any of our defenders have had a good season.

Tierney still benched by Real Sociedad.

Two more assists for Karamoko Dembele today.

Morgan is a shout but maybe as an additional striker if it’s a 26 man squad.

Tom cairney another consideration. Would be odd to pick a 33 year old squad player that’s never been selected by Clarke before(?) though.

Still not convinced that Callum McGregor isn’t just playing through an injury for Celtic too. Wondering what other attacking midfielders he’s called up before who could replace Armstrong and Ferguson. Turnbull, Fraser and Forrest?! Forrest looked lively off the bench today and I guess he could do similar job for Scotland. He’ll possibly go for Anderson again, and it could open the door for Doak. Personally would like Gauld but he’s probably still behind the 4/5 above according to Clarke.

He actually has a better goals/minute ratio than Shankland this season, without any pens. Would have scored 20+ if he had the game time. Should be our starting striker IMO. Wouldn't mind a way of playing both Shankland and Adams together either.

To add to the good news it looks like Tierney is no longer Real Sociedad’s first choice left back. Didn’t get off the bench at the weekend. He’s less likely to be overplayed and injured I suppose. But he could do with a couple of starts over the next month.

Agree to disagree. We need to remember most people aren’t like you or I or the rest on this forum. A lot of football fans and players won’t grow up watching a national teams, let alone attending home or away games. It’s just so unlikely that someone like Livramento or Adams were passionate England supporters (especially because they have mixed backgrounds). And that’s why they’ll happily and proudly play for us. But fair enough if they are passionate English fans, and turn down Scotland call ups (obviously Adams didn’t do this and is a successful player for us). So I’d always hope that a Scottish qualifying player wants to play for us.

Doesn't mean he would very happily play for Scotland too. He might end up playing for England but I hope he doesn't. If you have a choice to play for a number of countries at youth level and have lots of people advising you at a young age it it makes sense/is understandable that you play for the team with a better set-up/facilities/stronger coaches/players. And this is true even if they have stronger ties to Scotland, see Fletcher's sons, K Dembele, Jensen Weir etc.

Some players because of their heritage/where they have been brought up would be proud to, and would give 100% to representing more than country. It’s not that difficult. We should support these players unless they actively don’t want to play for us (Gordon and probably Barnes fall into this category). I don’t think anyone is suggesting that they have any right to play for us over England. From interviews and reading about Livramento, he’d be proud to represent 3 countries. We should obviously be hoping he plays for us.

Gifted Livi their first goal apparently.

To be fair we have Che Adams who has a much stronger pedigree and has a very similar goals/minutes ratio in an outlier season for Szomodics. Conway is also much younger and a pacy, off the shoulder type striker. I’d much rather have him and Adams.

I know I was pessimistic above but there’s still a high chance they’ll get to the final play offs and will likely be playing a team like Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic or Finland. These are all 50/50 ties and we’ll hopefully have Weir, Watson, Thomas and Hanson back who will make a big difference going forward.