Mctominay returns for Scotland before Haiti opener
Scott McTominay is back in Scotland training, and Steve Clarke says the midfielder is “perfect” and “ready to go” for the World Cup opener against Haiti. The return settles the biggest immediate selection doubt for Scotland ahead of Sunday’s 02:00 BST kick-off at Boston Stadium.
McTominay back on Friday
McTominay had missed training earlier in the week after a stomach bug and had travelled separately with a doctor as a precaution when Scotland arrived at their hotel in Boston. He re-emerged on Friday, giving Clarke the player he has built much of his midfield around before a tournament in which Scotland have only three games to work with.
Clarke did not hide his view of the situation. He described McTominay as “perfect” and “ready to go”, a clean sign that the midfielder is available to face Haiti. That matters because Scotland need their strongest options available from the start, especially in a first game that leaves little room to recover points later.
Clarke’s 4-4-2 option
The shape also points toward Scotland’s likely plan. Clarke is widely expected to use a 4-4-2 against Haiti, a system he rarely leans on but one that worked in last week’s 4-0 warm-up win over Bolivia. That result gave him a template, even if the competitive setting now carries far more pressure.
John McGinn was on the bench for the Bolivia match, which adds another layer to the midfield call. With McTominay back, Clarke has at least one of his major selection questions answered, but the balance around him still has to be settled against Haiti.
Boston pressure for Scotland
Scotland are returning to the World Cup stage after almost three decades, and the short group format makes the opener more than a routine first step. Three games leave little margin for error, so the starting lineup in Boston will shape the rest of the campaign.
Clarke summed up the task with another blunt reminder of the scale of it: “We are delighted with Scott's abilities and what he can bring to the team” and “But we are going to need another 15 to bring the same if we want to have a positive tournament.” McTominay’s return gives Scotland one key piece back, but the rest of the group still has to deliver when Haiti arrive on Sunday.
