Clarke’s Scotland squad shakes up World Cup race with Gunn recall and fresh faces
Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad for March friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast features a surprise return for Angus Gunn and a first-ever call-up for 19-year-old Kilmarnock winger Findlay Curtis. With injuries reshaping the goalkeeper pecking order, Clarke insists there’s still room for latecomers to break into his World Cup plans.
Steve Clarke has named his 26-man squad for the March friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast, a crucial dress rehearsal ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. The 26-man roster includes a shock recall for former international Angus Gunn and the maiden call-up of 19-year-old Kilmarnock winger Findlay Curtis, signaling both a nod to experience and an investment in the future.
Gunn, who last started for Scotland in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, returns in goal after Craig Gordon’s recent injury and a lackluster start to the season for Nottingham Forest’s first-choice keeper. Clarke has yet to confirm whether Scott Bain of Falkirk or Rangers’ Liam Kelly will back up Gunn and Gordon, but the competition for the starting berth against Haiti on June 14 is set to be intense.
Key inclusions
- ✅ Angus Gunn returns to goal after injury and inconsistency
- ⚡ Findlay Curtis becomes Scotland’s youngest current international at 19
- 💡 Dom Hyam and Andy Irving make first squads since November
The inclusion of Curtis comes amid concerns over the fitness of Ben Gannon-Doak, whose impact on Scotland’s attack has been pivotal since his 2024 Nations League debut. Gannon-Doak has not played since November and is still regaining match sharpness at Bournemouth. Clarke has included Curtis as a direct alternative, emphasizing the need for width and creativity on the wings.
| Winger | Current form | World Cup status |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Gannon-Doak | Recovering from groin injury | First-choice winger if fit |
| Findlay Curtis | 1 goal, 3 assists in 12 games on loan at Kilmarnock | Wing option with upside |
| James Forrest | 3 goals in 12 league games, Celtic | Veteran depth option |
Scotland’s right-back situation remains unsettled. Nathan Patterson, who impressed in his early Scotland starts before injuries derailed his Everton career, is poised to challenge Aaron Hickey for the position. Clarke confirmed Patterson’s place in the squad but left open the door for others to stake a claim.
💡 Pro Tip
Monitor Nathan Patterson’s fitness and minutes at Everton. A strong run of form in the Premier League could secure his place in Clarke’s World Cup plans.
Hearts and Motherwell, the two standout teams in the Scottish Premiership, have been largely overlooked in this cycle. Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland and Craig Gordon are both unavailable due to injury, while Motherwell’s defensive trio of Stephen Welsh, Paul McGinn, and Stephen O’Donnell remain outside Clarke’s plans for now. Neither club has a player in the current squad, a reflection of the depth in Clarke’s wider selection pool.
📋 By The Numbers
- 4 — Approximate number of players Clarke wanted to assess but were ruled out by injury
- 6 — Number of uncapped players in the broader Scotland development pool under review
Clarke stressed that the squad remains fluid, with room for late improvers to break in. "A lot can change over the next 10 weeks," he said. "I’ve got players in the squad I’m not yet convinced about, and I know there are others who could have been here but aren’t. That’s the reality of selection."
Key absentees
- ❌ Lawrence Shankland (Hearts, injured)
- ❌ Craig Gordon (Hearts, injured)
- ❌ Paul McGinn (Motherwell)
- ❌ Stephen Welsh (Motherwell)
The friendlies against Japan on March 21 and Ivory Coast on March 25 will serve as a final opportunity for fringe players to force their way into Clarke’s World Cup reckoning. Gunn’s return adds a layer of competition between the posts, while Curtis and Patterson offer fresh energy on the wings and right flank. For Scotland, the stakes are higher than ever: a first World Cup in 26 years demands no room for complacency.
Clarke’s approach remains pragmatic: balance experience with potential, fitness with form, and results with readiness. The next 10 weeks will determine whether outsiders like Curtis and Hyam can become insiders—or if the established order holds firm.
- Gunn’s return — A chance to reclaim his place between the posts after a year on the fringes
- Curtis’s debut — A potential long-term solution at winger if Gannon-Doak’s fitness delays
- Patterson’s redemption arc — A second chance to prove he belongs at right-back