Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has revealed that he is expected to submit a bumper 55-man preliminary squad to FIFA ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Drawn in Group C in their first appearance at the tournament in 28 years, Clarke’s team will face Haiti in their opening game at the 63,815-capacity Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on June 13, before they take on Morocco at the same stadium five days later. Scotland finish their group stage fixtures with a match against Brazil in Miami on June 24.
Expected to name an enlarged squad of players, with a deadline of 11 May, Scotland will face a pre-tournament friendly against Curacao at Hampden Park on May 30. Clarke must then whittle down his list to 26 before the tournament begins the following month.
But who are the 55 players that Clarke is likely to be considering as part of his Scotland World Cup long-list? Here, we look at the players he is likely to consider.
45. CF: Lyndon Dykes - Charlton Athletic
Awarded his 50th cap against Ivory Coast, Dykes missed Euro 2024 with an ankle injury, but is a regular in the Scotland squad. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
46. CF: Che Adams - Torino
Included in the squad for the last two European Championships, Adams has scored 11 goals in 46 games for Scotland. | Getty Images Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
47. CF: Lawrence Shankland - Hearts
Scored the crucial second goal in the 4-2 win against Denmark, and has been a talismanic figure for title chasing Hearts this season. | SNS Group / SFA Photo: SNS Group
48. CF: Kieron Bowie - Hellas Verona
Bought for £7million by Hellas Verona from Hibs in January, the physical striker has been left out of the last two Scotland squads. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group