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.
9. Lennon Miller - Motherwell
Steve Clarke will want to ensure the talented youngster introduced to the senior squad at the right time, though the 17-year-old is making it harder and harder to be left out. The playmaker is one of the most creative players in the Scottish top flight and is second only to Jamie McGrath when it comes to chances created (15). Is it too early to bring him in? There's only one way to find out. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
10. Lyall Cameron - Dundee
The 21-year-old midfielder has shown improvement season upon season and already has three goals and a seven assists in 11 domestic appearances this term. Like Lennon Miller, the playmaker is proving to be one of few young Scottish players who look like they could be ready to make the jump to the senior team. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
11. Stuart Armstrong - Vancouver Whitecaps
A regular in Steve Clarke's squad over the years, Armstrong was left out of the September double header against Poland and Portugal, while the free agent completed a move to the MLS. The midfielder has now featured in three of the last four games for his new club though, and is getting back to full match fitness. Could he be due a recall for next month's camp? | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group