A whole generation of Scotland supporters has never encountered anything like this.
For many people, the idea of World Cup send-offs is quite foreign. Something we haven’t had to worry about in 28 agonizingly long years.
In fact, the last time it happened, a good portion of Steve Clarke’s team was just a glimmer in their parents’ eyes.
And it would be beneficial for those who were fortunate enough to see the events leading up to France 98 to recall anything.
Fortunately, the wait is now over. Before the major celebration in the United States, the Tartan Army and the players will have the chance to say cheerio during the World Cup debutants Curacao’s visit to Hampden Park this afternoon.
Putting all the emotion aside, though, Clarke has a lot on the line.
Billy Gilmour is beaming during Scotland’s training, but he has been frustrated with Napoli at the club level.
The manager will have a good idea of his ideal starting lineup at this point. The issue is that several of his key players have very little time in the legs going into the competition.
For this reason, it is impossible to overstate the significance of today’s fixture. amiable or not. These guys must quickly catch up.
Let’s start with Aaron Hickey. The Brentford defender is without a doubt Clarke’s finest right-back option.
But last season, the 23-year-old only made 12 starts across all competitions due to persistent hamstring problems. Michael Kayode has shown to be difficult for Hickey to shift, even when he is in shape.
There is no question about his abilities. Being a top player is a must for playing in the Premier League and, previously, Serie A with Bologna. However, given how little playing time he has had since the start of the season, it is reasonable to wonder if he can play a complete 90 in the United States.
One method to address that would be to start and finish the game today.
After returning from his lengthy layoff, Aaron Hickey has had difficulty getting playing time for Brentford.
Ben Gannon-Doak’s tale is comparable. Under Clarke, the teenager has been outstanding for Scotland. A true winger with the maturity to go along with all the raw skill in the world.
You simply anticipate something to happen each time he has the ball. It usually does.
Given how that game unfolded, it makes sense that his contribution to Scotland’s thrilling 4-2 victory against Denmark in November, which guaranteed qualifying for these finals, is sometimes disregarded. However, three minutes in, his dancing feet on the right side provided the half-yard of space required to find Scott McTominay in the center of the box. What followed is known to us.
Gannon-Doak’s evening against the Danes was brutally cut short by injury, and he is currently recovering to full fitness.
He hasn’t played for more than an hour since rejoining the team at Bournemouth in the middle of March. Clarke must be worried about it.
After an outstanding few months at Kilmarnock, Findlay Curtis’ participation in the team is well deserved. Getting Gannon-Doak out there should be just as important as giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities this weekend and against Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday. If Scotland makes it to the knockout stages for the first time this summer, it might depend on him.
Ben Gannon-Doak is somewhat of a minor player for Bournemouth but a talisman for Scotland.
Billy Gilmour is not a guaranteed starter in Clarke’s midfield, in contrast to Hickey and Gannon-Doak. The three central spots are most likely occupied by Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, and John McGinn.
He will still have a role to play, though. He is, after all, perhaps Clarke’s best available technician.
His ability to get into small spaces, seize control in confined spaces, and keep things moving forward is unmatched.
It’s an odd position for him at Napoli. Over his two years in Italy, Gilmour hasn’t been able to unseat Slovakian internationalist Stanislav Lobotka in the No. 6 position, despite having a noticeable influence practically every time he plays.
Although a chronic groin ailment that kept him out of action from November to mid-January didn’t help, his impressive performances in victories against Torino, Lecce, and Cagliari after his return hinted he might be ready to take the lead.
Gilmour consistently makes an impression while playing for Napoli, although he is still frequently disregarded.
Strangely, the 24-year-old hasn’t started any of the last eight Serie A games. In five of them, he didn’t even get off the bench.
There are no unresolved injuries to report. Gilmour only needs minutes, and the next two games offer him a chance to accrue a significant amount. Keeping him on the sidelines has absolutely no advantages.
Few would contest that this is the best Scotland team we have put together in decades. However, let’s not act as though we are capable of enjoying the luxury of allowing participants to enter the tournament with ease.
When the action against Haiti begins on June 14, everyone needs to be healthy and ready to go.
