Steve Clarke was in ebullient mood after Scotland's 4-0 warm-up victory over Bolivia at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey, admitting it was one of those rare occasions where he got "everything he asked for" — no injuries, a strong performance, and a convincing scoreline. The downside, if you can call it that, is that his selection headaches for Sunday's World Cup opener against Haiti have only deepened.

"I've got some decisions to make," Clarke told BBC Scotland after the win. "The starting XI becomes a fixation, but this is a tournament for your finishing XI." It is a neat line, and there is genuine wisdom in it — but the calls he now has to navigate are worth examining in full.

Gordon or Gunn in goal?

Angus Gunn was confirmed as Scotland's number one when the squad list was finalised, and the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper did little wrong against Bolivia — completing the full 90 minutes and producing one highlight-reel save when it was asked of him. But there is a school of thought that Craig Gordon, at 43 the oldest player at this World Cup, deserves a chance to play in a major tournament after missing out on Euro 2024. The Heart of Midlothian veteran featured for 77 minutes against Curacao the previous weekend, and while he had limited involvement — including picking the ball out of the net — there is sentiment around the camp that this summer could represent a final opportunity. Neither goalkeeper has enjoyed significant club minutes this season, which makes the call genuinely difficult.

Who partners Hanley at centre-back?

Aaron Hickey and Andrew Robertson are understood to be certainties at full-back. The debate centres on the middle of the defence. Grant Hanley, 34 and now at Hibernian, produced another composed display against Bolivia and looks as close to a guaranteed starter as Clarke has. The question is who plays alongside him.

Jack Hendry caught the eye in New Jersey. The Al Ettifaq defender, who has spent three years playing in Saudi Arabia, looked entirely at home in the sweltering heat and commanded the backline with authority. John Souttar and Scott McKenna started against Curacao, but McKenna was caught in a difficult moment for the conceded goal. Hendry appears to have strengthened his case considerably.

Notably absent from this conversation in recent weeks is Kieran Tierney. The Celtic left-back, once considered almost indispensable to the Scotland setup, has become something of a peripheral figure in the selection debate — a mark of how much depth and competition Clarke now has across his squad.

A midfield problem of abundance

Scotland's first half against Bolivia was by all accounts as fluent as anything they have produced in years, with their midfield quartet operating with intensity and precision throughout. Scott McTominay was among the goalscorers and showed exactly why he is central to everything Clarke builds around. The dilemma, then, is not whether the midfield is good enough — it clearly is — but which combination gets the nod from the start on Sunday.

Clarke has options across the park that would have been unthinkable for Scotland sides of previous generations, and the manager knows that tournament football rewards those with the confidence to use a full squad. But for a nation appearing at only their second World Cup in the modern era, and facing a Haiti side they will be expected to beat, getting the opening line-up right matters.

The feel-good factor is well and truly present in the Scotland camp. Whether Clarke can translate it into a winning start in Boston remains to be seen.

FAQs

Frequently asked

When do Scotland play Haiti at the 2026 World Cup?
Scotland face Haiti on Sunday in their opening 2026 World Cup group match. Check your broadcaster's listings for the confirmed UK kick-off time.
Who is Scotland's number one goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup?
Angus Gunn of Nottingham Forest was confirmed as Scotland's first-choice goalkeeper when the squad was finalised, though Craig Gordon remains in contention for minutes during the tournament.
Who are Scotland's centre-backs for the 2026 World Cup?
Grant Hanley looks nailed on to start, with Jack Hendry pushing hard for a place alongside him after an impressive display in the 4-0 warm-up win over Bolivia. John Souttar and Scott McKenna are also in the squad.