Can Scotland secure their first competitive win in over a year in next month’s Nations League double header against Croatia and Portugal? Beating either of the European powerhouses will be a tough ask, but Steve Clarke will be desperate for a big result.
The team’s last three matches have dealt the Tartan Army hammer blows, with games against Hungary, Poland and Portugal all ending in a Scotland defeat due to last minute goals. With just one win from the last 13 games, pressure has ramped up on the Scotland head coach, who will be hoping to find the remedy to halt an alarming slide over the last year.
Clarke has already been handed a double injury blow, however, with the news that key duo John McGinn and Scott McKenna have both suffered injuries that will likely rule them out of the squad for next month’s games.
Could lack of form and the troublesome run of injuries result in the Scotland boss welcoming some uncapped players into the squad? Could former squad players earn an international recall? The squad for the October camp certainly has the potential to be a little bit different than what we have seen in recent years.
Here are the 11 uncapped and returning players Clarke could turn to ahead of next month’s Nations League fixtures.
5. Kieran Tierney - Arsenal
The Gunners defender has been out with the hamstring injury he suffered against Switzerland at the Euros, but is closing in on a return. Tierney could be fit in time to be included in the squad for next month's fixtures and would provide Scotland with a timely boost. | SNS Group / SFA Photo: SNS Group
6. Ross Stewart - Southampton
The 6ft 5in striker has been dealt a cruel hand with injury over the last two seasons, but is now back on the road to regaining full fitness with Southampton in the EPL and played 30 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at the weekend. A former target of Rangers during his time at Sunderland, the £10million man could solve Steve Clarke's striker dilemma. | Getty Images
7. Cameron Harper - New York Red Bulls
Born in California, the right-wing back qualifies for Scotland due to his parents. He has represented the USA at under-20 level, but would still qualify to play for the Tartan Army if he chose to do so. With Nathan Patterson, Aaron Hickey and now Max Johnston all struggling with injury, the ex-Celtic academy player could be a wildcard option to fill Scotland's right-back slot after his impressive season in the MLS, where he has five goals in 23 appearances, a 80% tackle win rate. He also creates 1.65 chances per 90 in the US top flight. | Getty Images
8. Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen
A regular inclusion in the Scotland squad during his time at Hibs, Nisbet dropped out of the reckoning after a difficult spell at Millwall. Looks like he is gradually regaining the confidence that saw him become one of the most potent strikers in Scotland just a few years ago since moving on loan to Aberdeen in the summer though, where he has scored two goals in five games. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group