Scotland Vs Haiti: Clarke Poised to Name 4-4-2 for First XI in 28 Years

Steve Clarke is preparing to name Scotland's first men's World Cup XI in 28 years for scotland vs haiti, and the shape points to a front-footed 4-4-2. Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams are expected to lead the line in Boston as Scotland look to build on back-to-back warm-up wins.

Clarke's Boston selection

The expected line-up has a clear spine. Angus Gunn is assumed to be first pick in goal after playing the full 90 minutes against Bolivia, while Andy Robertson and Aaron Hickey seem set at full-back. Ben Gannon-Doak, Scott McTominay and Shankland are also expected to start.

That leaves Clarke with most of his real decisions in midfield and across the back line. Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson and John McGinn are all in contention for places in the middle, but Scott McTominay's availability is in doubt because of tummy trouble. Scott McKenna will miss the game with a calf issue.

Shankland and Adams

The front two has already been narrowed down. Kenny Miller said he would be “very surprised” if Shankland and Adams did not spearhead the attack, adding that “Clarke has played that formation for these two preparation games” and that “It makes sense and he's looked at a couple of different combinations within that.”

He also pointed to the most recent form line, saying, “The performance on Saturday with Shankland and Adams - and the fact they were both on the scoresheet - means I would be very surprised if it wasn't those two.” Scotland beat Curacao and Bolivia in those two preparation games, and the scoring touch from the strikers has pushed the 4-4-2 into view as the most likely starting shape.

Back line choices

The bigger pressure sits behind the attack. John Souttar, Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry all got minutes in the previous two friendlies, but McKenna is out and McTominay's fitness clouds the middle of the pitch. That makes the first men's Scotland World Cup XI in 28 years less about surprise than about who can take the field cleanly after the warm-ups.

Clarke was calling time on his playing career and taking up a coaching role at Newcastle under Ruud Gullit in 1998, the last year Scotland had a men's World Cup XI before this return. Fans can follow the selection and the match coverage through iPlayer, Sounds, and the Sport website and app.