Scotland Men's Football Team

We asked for your views after Steve Clarke named his squad - and brought Ryan Gauld out of the international wilderness - for Scotland's opening Nations League fixtures.

Here's what some of you said:

Ricky: I think this is the time now to unleash Ben Doak and Ryan Gauld, find the pattern and shape to fit them both into a tactically well organised Scotland team, who on their day we can get great results. Even with the likes of Kieran Tierney, Lewis Ferguson, Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey injured, I am looking forward to these two games.

Keith: Too defensive and negative, it can be a hard watch with Clarke's teams. The Euros were painful with a lone striker and no direct thrust from wide players. I would like to see Gauld, Josh Doig and Tommy Conway start a game and not be brought on for a token 10 minutes when we are chasing a game. Also, Grant Hanley is just a liability at this leve. We are missing a genuine quality wing-back in Hickey as well, so a flat 4-4-2 for me.

Richard: Gauld should have been included in the Scotland squad a long time ago, it's difficult to understand why such a talented player has been ignored for such a long time.

Iain: We don't have a great deal to choose from but Gauld deserves a chance. Not your typical battling midfielder but he's matured and is a great passer, he puts in a good shift and usually chips in with a few goals. Forget the Scottish Messi, he and Billy Gilmour could just become the Scottish Xavi and Iniesta instead, fingers crossed.

Eric: Great to see some new players in the squad but that will only matter if they actually get on the pitch. We had some very tired looking senior players in the Euros, so hopefully they will now be refreshed and ready to support the young talent that I hope will be given a chance. I'm looking forward to a fresh start.

Andrew: I think this is a great post-Euros squad. The team did brilliantly to qualify but seemed to peak too early and by the time of the competition were on a big downward trend. This refreshes and hopefully reinvigorates things. The new players and the reintroduction of Gauld will certainly help. It gives hope going forward, the rebuild starts now.

Marty: About time we saw Gauld in the squad, hopefully he gets the chance to shine with game time. Nice to see Conway back in and Doak too, hopefully Doak moves on this week from Liverpool and gets some game time that helps push for more game time for Scotland.

Robert: Until we can find a true striker with pace, skill and lethal finishing who puts fear into opposing defenders, we are and always will be struggling for goals. Teamwork counts for a lot, but somebody who can conjure up a bit of magic out of nothing is the true missing link.

Steve: If Luke McCowan had played for the Old Firm he would have been in the team before Germany, let's see what happens if he signs for Celtic.

Jim: If he's brought James Forrest and others along just to make up the numbers and they have little prospect of playing then he'll not last the campaign. Not using an in-form Forrest in preference to other less experienced players was baffling. Clarke seems to always be at odds with popular opinion.

Ken: Sadly it's the same old, same old. No surprise inclusions to make a real improvement because there are no great talents available. Fitness and spirit are the only real assets available to the manager. Hopefully they will not disappear as they did in Germany.

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Scotland Under-21 boss Scot Gemmill says "it's why this team exists" after three of his squad were called up to Steve Clarke's senior squad.

Clarke has included striker Tommy Conway, winger Ben Doak and full-back Max Johnston for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Poland and Portugal.

It means Gemmill is deprived of three of his best talents for the important Euro 2025 qualifying double-header against Spain and Malta.

"Steve knows he can take the players whenever he wants, I've said it from day one," said Gemmill.

"That is the objective of the team, it's why this team exists, to try and help develop the young players.

"It's fantastic that they now get the opportunity to go with the men's A squad, [albeit] Tommy was obviously with them in the summer.

"And if you look through Steve's squads, there is real evidence that the Under-21 team is giving that experience to the players that can help them to push towards the men's A.

"It's obviously brilliant for all the staff to see the younger players getting the opportunity with the men's A team but I think it's also correct to keep it in context.

"The international windows are short, if you add them up, probably roughly 50 days per year, so it's a lot of the work that's going on at their clubs and the credit belongs to the players.

"They're the ones that are putting themselves in a position where Steve knows he can trust them to play."

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Has Steve Clarke's squad selection revealed a plan to move to a different formation?

With just four centre-backs named his 24-man set-up, some are speculating that the Scotland head coach could look to move away from his favoured back-five shape.

For the majority of Clarke's spell, he has deployed 5-3-2 and 5-4-1 formations - the latter of which was used from the start in each of the three Euro 2024 games.

But after a dismal campaign in Germany, Clarke suffered intense criticism for a dull attacking approach and many put that down to the shape he continued to implement.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, coach and analyst John Walker believes the former Kilmarnock manager's squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal proves we are now "going to see a 4-3-3".

"We're going to see the end of this 5-3-2, 5-4-1 box-midfield formation," he adds. "It's a formation we brought in only to suit the fact we had two world-class left-backs in Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney.

"We don't have two world-class left-backs any more. We've got a world-class left-back and somebody who will miss 50% of the games every year, so we need something different.

"It needs to be players like Ben Doak, Lewis Morgan and Ryan Gauld who come into those areas in the frontline. Then you've got Che Adams, Laurence Shankland and Lyndon Dykes who will still perform that lone striker role.

"I think we're probably going to see John McGinn slot back one, rather than in a more advanced position. I'm quite excited to see if we take the handbrake off and start going for teams."

Steve Clarke hints the World Cup campaign could be his last as manager... unless Scotland win the trophy.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Steve Clarke says he and his Scotland squad "are just the same as everyone else" and "disappointed" with the way their Euro 2024 campaign panned out.

Scotland failed to win a game and didn't make it out of the group stages in Germany despite a highly impressive qualifying campaign.

Head coach Clarke, speaking for the first time since the 1-0 defeat by Hungary consigned Scotland to the exit, said it "just wasn't our tournament".

After naming his squad for next month's Nations League games against Poland and Portugal, he added: "We’re all disappointed we didn’t achieve what we wanted to achieve in the tournament.

"There’s always going to be criticism when you don’t achieve your targets. If all the criticism comes to me, that’s fine, I can take it.

"I think you have to look at the build-up to the tournament. It wasn't smooth, we had a lot of players injured, even from in-camp we lost a lot of players and what we have shown is, if we’re missing one or two key players, we’re not as strong as we would be with them in the team."

Given the strong qualifying campaign, which saw Scotland beat eventual tournament winners Spain at Hampden, hopes were high that Clarke's side could progress from the group stage for the first time.

There has been criticism of the failure to do that, but Clarke said he takes that as a compliment.

"It means me and my staff and the players have done a really good job to raise expectations," he added.

"When I took the job, it was over 20 years since we had been at a tournament, now we’ve been at two of the last three, so we must have done something right.

"If the expectation now is that you have to qualify for the tournament, and you have to come out the group stage, then that is what we’ll try and do in 2026."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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"The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over."

Yep, that's right, Ryan Gauld is back with the Scotland national team for reunion dates in Glasgow and Lisbon.

Still uncapped at the age of 28, the Vancouver Whitecaps captain will be desperate to take to the stage after returning to the senior squad for the first time in a decade on the same day Oasis announced their comeback tour.

Despite a loyal social media following fighting his corner, it felt like another call-up would never come for the Dundee United youth product.

He even conceded that he may never play football in his home country again as the style "doesn't really suit me".

With injuries mounting prior to Euro 2024, Clarke's decision to take fellow MLS forward Lewis Morgan to Germany seemed to highlight how far down the pecking order Gauld was.

However, speaking for the first time since Scotland's dismal summer, Clarke revealed the 28-year-old "was in my thoughts before the tournament".

Now, after Euros failure and a barrage of criticism for a dull attacking approach, the head coach has turned to Gauld.

So what is it Gauld provides that makes him different to what Scotland already have? For a start, he contributes goals on a consistent basis.

After a failed loan spell from Sporting Lisbon to Hibernian in 2018-19, he has racked up a combined 105 goals and assists in the following five seasons.

In three of those five campaigns, Gauld has also managed double figures for both goals and assists during spells with Farense in Portugal and now Vancouver.

And he has posted those impressive numbers while playing a variety of positions: attacking midfield, off both wings and as a supporting striker.

Scotland's midfielders are not predominantly attack minded. Ryan Christie is perhaps the exception, but even he is now playing a deeper role for Bournemouth.

Gauld's ability to play in wide areas also provides Clarke with an option to change the shape of his frontline - which has often featured the one striker, supported by Scott McTominay and John McGinn.

If played more centrally, his agility, awareness and composure on the ball could be key in linking midfield and attack.

But to prove that, Gauld will have to be given a chance, which many will hope is the case when Clarke's side face tough tests in Poland and Portugal in their opening Nations League games.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

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Steve Clarke addressed the media for the first time since Scotland's exit from Euro 2024 as he named his squad for next month's Nations League games against Poland and Portugal.

Here's what he had to say:

• Reflecting on Scotland's Euro 2024 campaign, Clarke said "it wasn't our tournament, a lot of little things didn't fall our way".

• He said his overriding emotion was "disappointment" but in football it is imperative to move on.

• He reiterated his ambition to reach a World Cup with Scotland and stressed his group of players are "determined" to get there: "For some players, it will be their last chance... my last chance, too."

• When asked if he considered his position after the campaign, the Scotland head coach replied: "No, never". Asked what kept him on, he said: "My contract".

• On criticism, Clarke said: "When you don't achieve your targets, there's always criticism. If all criticism comes at me, that's fine, I can take it".

• On his comments about Argentinian referee Facundo Tello after the defeat to Hungary, Clarke said: "I was a disappointed, frustrated coach with a lot of emotion".

• Clarke gave his thanks to Callum McGregor and expressed his disappointment to lose him but said he "respects his decision".

• He added that "no one else has indicated retirement".

• On his squad for the upcoming Nations League games, he said he wanted to "freshen things up, take a look at some players and develop a deeper pool".

• Ryan Gauld was "in thoughts pre-tournament" as he is "a slightly different player to what we have, he's creative".

Ryan Gauld is the surprise name in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for the Nations League opening double-header against Poland and Portugal.

Are you glad to see the Vancouver Whitecaps forward finally get a call-up?

Youthful attackers Ben Doak and Tommy Conway are also included as Scotland look to move on from their Euros disappointment, but are there any glaring omissions from Clarke's selection?

And how are you feeling about the upcoming Nations League - can Clarke lead Scotland to a successful campaign in a group that also features Croatia?

Tell us your views here, external.

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Ready to start thinking about Scotland again?

If not, tough. If so, lucky you - Tuesday is the day Steve Clarke announces his squad for next month's Nations League double-header with Portugal and Poland.

After a disappointing summer in Germany, many feel there is a need to freshen things up - so where could we perhaps see changes in the set-up?

Celtic captain Callum McGregor's international retirement means there's a gap to fill in midfield, might Rangers new boy Connor Barron be the man to replace him?

Clarke suffered intense criticism in the aftermath of Scotland's Euros exit, mainly for a lack of verve in attack.

How can he address that? Will Liverpool's Ben Doak come back into the fold? As reports suggest, will there finally be a call-up for Ryan Gauld?

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, the Daily Record's Daniel Caw said: "If the Euros taught us anything, it's that we're crying out for a little bit of creativity and some more firepower options.

"I would love to see Gauld in the squad. The fact he's got zero caps at the age of 28 is unfathomable to me.

"The other guy I'd love to see in would be Simon Murray. I know he's 32 and it might feel like the ship's sailed a little, but 23 goals last season. He's got six this season. What else does he need to do to get a look in?"

Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell, who gained a cap for Scotland in 2010, added: "I would like to see Barron get a call-up. I think he's a young, talented player and he's started his Rangers career really, really well."

And on the goalkeeping situation, Bell feels "it will be hard" now for Liam Kelly to retain his place in the squad after signing for Rangers as a back-up option.

Napoli are continuing with their plan for Brighton & Hove Albion's Billy Gilmour to undergo a medical this week after a transfer fee of more than £12m was agreed for the 23-year-old Scotland midfielder. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Napoli remain confident of completing a deal for Brighton & Hove Albion's Billy Gilmour and also want to sign fellow Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay from Manchester United, but they may have to sell first to complete both. (Dharmesh Sheth on X), external

The £25.4m sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli, subject to all parties being satisfied on player terms, is important for Manchester United's financial fair play compliance and their bid to sign Paris St-Germain's Manuel Ugarte will be aided by the 27-year-old Scotland midfielder's exit. (David Ornstein on X), external

Scott McTominay is keen to join Napoli after a £25.4m fee was agreed with Manchester United, but a pay-off from the Premier League club and personal terms with the 27-year-old Scotland midfielder's proposed new employers are yet to be agreed. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Scotland centre-half Liam Cooper has agreed to re-sign for Hull City following the 32-year-old's Leeds United exit. (Football Insider), external

Rangers are in talks with John Souttar about a new contract and an agreement is close over a long-term deal beyond the 27-year-old Scotland centre-back's current summer 2026 as manager Philippe Clement looks to avoid a repeat of this year's freedom-of-contract exits by John Lundstram and Borna Barasic. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay could have played his last game for Manchester United despite a £19.5m bid from Napoli being rejected as a £25.5m offer could be enough to get the deal done. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Scotland centre-half Liam Cooper is close to agreeing a return to Hull City following his departure from Leeds United and the 32-year-old was in owner Ali Acun Ilicali's box at the MKM Stadium for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Millwall. (Sky Sports), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Connor Barron believes "there is lots more to come" after a promising start to his Rangers career which has ramped up rumours of a Scotland call-up.

The midfielder has caught the eye since joining in the summer from Aberdeen and surprised some, but not himself.

"I know what I can do, what I can bring to the team and I know what we've got here," the 21-year-old said as he previewed the weekend's game against Ross County.

"It's about me focusing on what I can improve. I know there is lots more to come from me, this is just the start."

There has been speculation Barron is in line for a call-up to Steve Clarke's Scotland squad, which will be named on Tuesday, but he insists his is fully focused on the task at hand.

"My performances on the pitch are what merits that; if it comes along I'll be buzzing," he added.

"It's outwith my hands, I do my talking on the pitch, I try and perform as well as I can and if it happens, it happens. It's all about me being a Rangers player and doing my job for the club.

"It's an aim of mine, but first and foremost it's what I do on the pitch for Rangers. If I am putting in performances for Rangers, you never know what can happen."

Manchester United are set to sell Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, 27, to Napoli in order to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip