Scotland’s best World Cup XI gives the Tartan Army real reason to believe
· Yahoo Sports
Scotland are not heading to the World Cup as favorites, and nobody needs to pretend otherwise. But that does not make this return any less special.
After 28 years away from the tournament, Steve Clarke has taken Scotland back to the biggest stage, and they now have a team with enough experience, energy and bite to cause problems on the right day.
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Group C is difficult, with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil all waiting, so getting out of it would still be a huge achievement. This is not a prediction of exactly what Clarke will pick. It is the XI I would trust to give them the best chance of making this long-awaited World Cup return count.
Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty ImagesScotland’s best XI for the World Cup
Angus Gunn starts in goal. Scotland’s goalkeeping situation is not the strongest area of the squad, but Gunn is the sensible pick and has been given the No.1 shirt over Craig Gordon.
Aaron Hickey should start at right-back in a 4-2-3-1. Nathan Patterson and Anthony Ralston both offer alternatives, but Hickey gives Scotland more balance and quality when fit, especially if they need to defend deep and still carry some threat forward.
Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna would be my center-back pairing. Behind them in the pecking order, Grant Hanley has the experience, and John Souttar narrowly misses out.
Andy Robertson has to start at left-back. Kieran Tierney is desperately unlucky to miss out because he remains one of Scotland’s best players, but in a back four, Robertson’s leadership, delivery and experience make him the stronger option on that side.
Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty ImagesThe double-pivot should be Lewis Ferguson and John McGinn. Scotland will miss Billy Gilmour’s control, but Ferguson has earned a major role, while McGinn brings the experience, power and personality this team badly needs in the middle of the pitch.
Ahead of them, Ryan Christie starts from the left. He may not get the same attention as McTominay, McGinn or Robertson, but Christie’s energy and intelligence will be an underrated weapon. He and McGinn could swap positions with ease.
Ben Gannon-Doak brings the youth and pace from the right, giving Scotland a direct threat few others in the squad can match.
Scott McTominay has to be the central attacking midfielder. He is the star of this side now, the player most likely to make something happen when the game is drifting away.
Che Adams leads the line as the best all-round option.
Scotland are not expected to dominate Group C, and nobody will be putting them alongside Brazil as a favorite to go deep. But with McTominay in form, Robertson and McGinn leading, and Gannon-Doak offering something fearless, there is enough here for hope.
After 28 years away, Scotland are back at the World Cup, and this XI is good enough to make the Tartan Army believe something special is possible.