Why Scotland Look More Dangerous Than Ever

It was the perfect send-off for Scotland who also scored four goals in a 4-1 win over Curacao last week. Of course, stronger opposition awaits at the World Cup itself, but the early indications are positive. More than that, Clarke might have stumbled on the right formula to get more out of Scotland’s attack.

Two years ago in Germany, Scotland exited Euro 2024 with a whimper. They failed to win any of their three group stage games and departed with the lowest average Expected Goals (xG) per 90 minutes of any of the 24 teams that took part in the competition. Scotland arrived with much promise, but were arguably the worst side at Euro 2024.

Progress since then certainly hasn’t been linear. Scotland rode their luck in more than one match in qualifying and punched their ticket to the World Cup in a chaotic match at Hampden Park that saw McTominay, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean all score goals that on another night wouldn’t have ended up anywhere near the net.

More recently, though, there are signs Scotland have found their groove in an attacking sense. Clarke has set up his team in a 4-4-2 in Scotland’s last few matches, not only giving his side two out-and-out centre forwards, but also putting in place the framework to apply more pressure on the ball from the front.

Lawrence Shankland is in top form, scoring three goals in the recent matches against Bolivia and Curacao. Fresh from spearheading Hearts’ sensational Scottish Premiership title challenge, the 30-year-old is clearly the most natural finisher in the Scotland squad and is expected to start against Haiti on Saturday.

Alongside Shankland, Clarke has a choice between Adams and Lyndon Dykes. Against Curacao, Dykes showed signs of a partnership with Shankland while Adams bagged a brace in the 4-0 demolition of Bolivia. Both strikers have their qualities and the front two opens up a number of different possibilities. Adams is more accomplished while Dykes is a physical threat.

It’s not just through the use of a front two that Scotland have looked more threatening recently. Indeed, Clarke has utilised wingers to give his side a funnel into the final third with Ben Gannon-Doak extremely dangerous in the win over Bolivia. The South Americans couldn’t stop the Bournemouth winger down the right side. He was rampant.

Finlay Curtis has also been given an opportunity to show what he can offer down the left and while the Rangers youngster who spent the second half of last season on loan at Kilmarnock is unlikely to be a starter for Scotland this summer, Clarke deserves credit for calling in someone to give his side a slightly different dimension.

The 4-4-2 shape puts added pressure on Scotland in the centre of the pitch. However, Scott McTominay was able to play as one of the two midfield double pivots against Bolivia while also offering attacking threat in quick transition. It was a performance that suggested the Napoli midfielder has added even more to his game.

There are holes in Clarke’s Scotland squad. The central defensive position appears weak and there are concerns over the goalkeepers available. However, if Scotland failed at Euro 2024 on the basis of their feeble forward line, it’s possible they have rectified this as they prepare to participate in their first World Cup since 1998.