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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 ...
21. Ben Doak - forward
The Liverpool winger may not be deemed ready to start games for Scotland just yet, but the fact he is in the squad at the age of 18 tells you everything about his potential. Scotland have been waiting an age for explosive attacking talent to emerge and hopes are high that Doak can fill the void. A season-long loan at Middlesbrough will hopefully provide plenty first-team opportunities and an insight into his current capabilities. Time will tell if he's the real deal, but by the age of 23, we will almost certainly have our answer. | SNS Group
22. Kieron Bowie - forward
Hibs' £600,000 summer signing from Fulham has made no secret of his desire to become a future Scotland number nine. Much will depend on how he performs at Easter Road, but the early signs have been promising. There are not many young strikers in the Premiership who can knock Celtic's Cameron Carter-Vickers off the ball like he did on his Hibs debut. We are backing Bowie to become a big player for Hibs and Scotland in the coming years. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
23. Tommy Conway - forward
The 22-year-old striker earned a £4.5m move to Middlesbrough this summer after an impressive breakthrough at Bristol City. Earned a late call-up to Euro 2024, and kept his place for the Nations League games against Poland and Portugal. Of all the young Scottish strikers coming through the ranks, he looks the best bet to take over the mantle from Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes. We predict he will be Scotland's starting striker in five years time. | SNS Group
24. Che Adams - forward
Was an isolated figure as Scotland went ultra-defensive at Euro 2024, but has shown he can be a real focal point in a more attacking formation. Will be 33 in five years time, as will Lyndon Dykes, but if his move to Serie A with Torino proves successful, we expect Adams to enjoy greater longevity in a Scotland shirt than Dykes, who stepped down to League One this summer to sign for Birmingham City. Much will depend on his commitment after question marks were raised over his withdrawal from the Nations League squad. | SNS Group