Source: BBC Football
What questions face Clarke as he names Scotland squad?Image source,SNSImage caption,Luis Binks, Angus Gunn, Mikael Mandron and Lawrence Shankland could all pose questions for Steve ClarkeByClive LindsayBBC Sport ScotlandPublished2 November 2025Three weeks on from taking charge for a record 72nd time, Scotland head coach Steve Clarke will name a potentially history making squad on Monday.A World Cup play-off place already secured, they head to Greece on 15 November, before hosting current Group C leaders Denmark three days later with a chance of automatic qualification to the finals for a first time in 28 years.With the Danes having a superior goal difference and facing bottom side Belarus next, Clarke’s side realistically need to draw in Pireas at least to set up a winner-takes-all showdown at Hampden.But, before he even starts thinking of the points permutations, what are the key questions for the national boss as he has been pondering fitness and form?How can Scotland qualify for 2026 World Cup?Published12 OctoberCan Scotland rouse themselves for World Cup finale?Published12 OctoberClarke angered by Scotland on historic nightPublished12 OctoberWho will replace Gunn?The fact goalkeeper Angus Gunn has not played for Nottingham Forest since his move from Norwich City this summer was bad enough.Now the 29-year-old is an almost certain absentee after club boss Sean Dyche revealed that Gunn had “opened up his knee ligaments”.Likely without his recent first choice, Clarke is left searching for a replacement from a shallow pool of options.Craig Gordon is the obvious likely starter given his sterling service and 81 caps, but the 42-year-old has found himself supplanted by summer signing Alexander Schwolow as Heart of Midlothian’s number one.Likewise, the other goalkeeper in Clarke’s last squad, Liam Kelly, is warming the bench behind Jack Butland at Rangers.Meanwhile, of recent squad call-ups, only Cieran Slicker, currently with League Two side Barnet, and uncapped duo Jon McCracken, of Dundee, and Robby McCrorie, of Esbjerg in Denmark’s second tier, have had any recent club game time.In-form Shankland’s time again?It’s not often Scotland have been able to say this, but things are looking brighter at the other end of the park.Che Adams started the ball rolling with the opening goal last time out in the 2-1 win over Belarus and followed that up on Sunday by scoring in Torino’s 2-2 draw with Pisa – only his third of the season.George Hirst took his total to five for the campaign with a double as Ipswich Town won 4-1 away to Queens Park Rangers.Lyndon Dykes continues to come off the bench for Championship rivals Birmingham City, but his place in the squad was surely secured with last month’s late clincher at home to Greece.Kieron Bowie, though, has gone off the boil with Hibernian, so could the fourth striker space be up for grabs?Even though his Middlesbrough side are second in the Championship despite Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by Watford, Tommy Conway has al…
Published: 2025-11-02T22:44:52
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