Earlier this week, we reported that Neymar would be ready for Scotland. The new selection question for Scotland vs Brazil is whether Steve Clarke starts Ben Gannon-Doak, with the winger in contention after being benched for the 1-0 defeat to Morocco. Clarke has also defended Scott McTominay and said he is prepared to use Gannon-Doak from the start if it improves the team.
Clarke's selection call
“I know, I get questions all the time about Ben Gannon-Doak. Listen, he's a player who can bring us something different. But my job as head coach is to make sure I use him and utilise him at the right time. It doesn't always necessarily need to be from the start, but I'm not scared to start anybody if I think he can make the team better,” Clarke told dailyrecord.co.uk.
That is the clearest clue in the build-up to Wednesday night in Miami. Gannon-Doak missed six months of last season after damaging a hamstring during Scotland's 4-2 win over Denmark that clinched qualification to the States, so Scotland have handled him carefully. He has only two World Cup appearances this tournament, and 111 minutes across them.
Clarke said he would stick with a back four and give Gannon-Doak licence to attack down Scotland's right flank. That points to a straightforward idea, use his pace and one-v-one ability early if Scotland want a different route against Brazil.
Fitness and the rest of the group
Aaron Hickey will not be passed fit for the Group C match in Miami, but Scotland expect him to be available if they reach the knock-out stages. That keeps one part of the squad on a longer timeline, while Gannon-Doak looks set for a more immediate role.
Clarke also moved to back Scott McTominay after criticism, saying: “Scott is fine. It's a very, very British thing. You put people on the pedestal then you you chop them down. I have got no idea why. He has done everything he's been asked to do in the games, he has tried as hard as he can. He hasn't had the inference on the game, but he hit the post against Curacao, he had the shots against Bolivia and he looks a goal threat going forward. If he continues to do that going into game three or game four, then hopefully he will end up getting the headlines that he deserves.”
Scotland sit third in Group C on three points after two games, while Brazil top the section on four. The table leaves little room for a soft approach, and Clarke's comments suggest he is leaning toward the bolder selection rather than protecting Gannon-Doak for later.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →