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How does the future look for Scotland? It’s a question that is sure to be on the minds of the Tartan Army this week amid the worst ever run of competitive results in the history of the national side.
Steve Clarke has led Scotland to back-to-back European Championships - ending a 23-year wait for a major finals appearance in the process - but a sequence of three draws and five defeats over the last eight competitive matches has erased much of the positive vibes and raised question marks over his tenure.
The performances in the defeats to Poland and Portugal were more encouraging than the lacklustre showing the team produced at Euro 2024, but something has to change if Scotland are to get back to winning ways.
Scotland still have to negotiate their way through the remainder of a tough Nations League group, which also includes Croatia, before embarking on another World Cup qualification campaign for the tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
Clarke has stated that it is unlikely he will remain in post beyond those finals - whether Scotland qualify or not - meaning that a new manager could be at the helm by the time Euro 2028 comes around, with the tournament being jointly hosted by the home nations.
What sort of squad will a future Scotland manager have at his disposal? What could the 24-man pool look like five years down the line? One thing is for sure, there will be new faces with a number retirements from the current squad likely by 2029. Andy Robertson, Zander Clark, Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley will all be nearer 40 than 30 and will likely have hung up their Scotland jerseys by then.
Who are the next generation of talent coming through to replace them? Are there any Scotland Under-21 prospects capable of making the step up. Ben Doak earned his first senior caps off the bench over the past week and others are sure to follow in the years to come.
Here is how we predict a 24-man Scotland squad might look five years down the line with three goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and four strikers ...
17. Connor Barron - midfield
Earned his first call-up to the senior squad for the Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal as a late addition following injury withdrawals. It came after an impressive start to his career at Rangers where he has established himself as a first-team regular. Kenny McLean will be 37 in five years and Barron will have eyes on his starting slot in the Scotland midfield. | SNS Group
18. Luke McCowan - midfield
The 26-year-old has never been capped by Scotland at any level but he could prove to be a late bloomer following his transfer deadline day move to Celtic. Much will depend on how much first-team football he gets at Parkhead but, at five years younger than Callum McGregor, he may be viewed as the natural successor for the Celtic captain, who will be 36 in five years time. | SNS Group
19. Lennon Miller - midfield
A young man with the world at his feet after a stand-out breakthrough season at Motherwell. A big move is surely on the horizon for the 18-year-old midfielder, who has been fast-tracked into the Scotland Under-21 set-up. So long as he continues on his current trajectory, there is every reason to believe he will be a full Scotland international by the time he is 23. | SNS Group
20. David Watson - Kilmarnock
Winner of the SFWA young player of the year award last year, the 19-year-old was one of the main reasons why Kilmarnock qualified for Europe. Already has a vast amount of experience for his age, with 68 appearances and six goals under his belt. Won't be at Kilmarnock in five years time, but we reckon he will be in the full Scotland squad, providing his next move is the right one which allows him to flourish in a first-team environment. | SNS Group