L. Shankland has given Steve Clarke a straightforward selection problem before Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti. He scored twice in the Hampden send-off win over Curacao, and that 4-1 result has sharpened the case for him to start in Massachusetts on 14 June.
Why Shankland's finishing is the argument
Kenny McLean did not dress it up. Speaking to Daily Record, he said Shankland showed his “clinical finishing” and added: “It’s what he’s always done no matter where he’s been.” McLean also said he is “so much more than goals” but that goals are “the bread and butter”, which is about as neat a summary of a striker’s value as you will get.
Rory Loy was even more direct on BBC, saying: “That instinctive finishing in the box is something we've been crying out for as a nation for a while and Shankland's been right under our nose. I think it's his time to shine.” Kevin Thomson backed that up too, saying: “It might be slim chances, so if they fall for Shankland, you will back him to put the ball in the back of the net.”
That is the strongest case for Shankland. Scotland are not being asked to build an elaborate attacking plan against Haiti; they need someone who can take the chances that arrive. Shankland's brace against 10-man Curacao is the kind of evidence managers usually trust.
The squad picture still matters
The call around Billy Gilmour has changed the feel of the camp too. He was ruled out of the World Cup after picking up a knee injury in the Curacao match, and Tyler Fletcher replaced him in Scotland's squad. That has created another talking point, because Fletcher had initially trained with the under-21 group before making his senior debut in the same 4-1 win.
There is a small dispute over how much senior football Fletcher had before the call-up. One Daily Record feature put it at 17 minutes, while the recent league evidence attached to him shows 20 Premier League minutes across two matches. Either way, the point is the same, he is still very light on senior exposure.
Paul Lambert said Scotland's opener matters because “three points can take you through” and that might be enough depending on other groups. That is why Shankland's case feels more practical than theoretical. Scotland open against Haiti first, then Morocco and Brazil follow in Group C, so the best chance to get the mood right is the one in front of them.
If Clarke wants a striker who has already shown he can finish under pressure, Shankland has made the argument in the most direct way possible. The next call is whether that is enough to start against Haiti on 14 June.
FAQ
Should Lawrence Shankland start Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti?
The case is strong after Shankland scored twice in Scotland's 4-1 send-off win over 10-man Curacao. Kenny McLean said his finishing is what he has always done, while Rory Loy and Kevin Thomson both backed his box instincts. Scotland open against Haiti on 14 June in Massachusetts.
Why are pundits backing Lawrence Shankland for Scotland at the World Cup?
Kenny McLean said Shankland is "so much more than goals" but goals are "the bread and butter". Rory Loy called his box finishing something Scotland have been crying out for, and Kevin Thomson said he would back him to score if chances fall his way.
What happened to Billy Gilmour before Scotland's World Cup opener?
Billy Gilmour was ruled out of the World Cup after a knee injury in the Curacao match. Tyler Fletcher replaced him in Scotland's squad after making his senior debut in the 4-1 win over Curacao.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
