World Cup Injury Watch

[Caledonian Craig]

33 minutes ago, ProudScot said:

It’s no bad thing if Doak and McGinn and any others are out for the March friendlies but then back soon after. They’ll be rested for the end of season run in to get some form before the World Cup starts & it leaves squad places for the friendlies for others which is what we need to get a look at peripheral players or new caps in some areas 

I said the same. In a round about way it prevents player burn-out.

[DesiScotsman]

8 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:

Even if it's reasonably accurate/fact-based and just a couple of weeks' off spot on then he will be back in plenty of time for the World Cup.

I just hope his club don’t rush him back. Takes as much as time as he needs to properly heal and make the odd cameo appearance from the bench.

[DesiScotsman]

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/15853841/scotland-world-cup-2026-latest-injury-ryan-gauld/?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=footballscottishsunwhatsapp

 

Headline has been made way more dramatic than what the actual article states. Mainly for clickbait purposes.

Ryan Gauld ruled out till April at best. One of the players with an outside chance of making the World Cup squad.

 

 

[Caledonian Craig]

Worrying news following Napoli's win last night in Serie A. Although McTominay scored a cracker on the first half he was subbed at half-time due to a tendon injury. Conti revealed he has been carrying this injury playing through pain between his hamstring and glute that makes him 'have to slow down at times' but has been able to play through it. Not what any of us want to here and you just know he is so important to Napoli I do not see them resting him.

Edited February 8 by Caledonian Craig

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:

Worrying news following Napoli's win last night in Serie A. Although McTominay scored a cracker on the first half he was subbed at half-time due to a tendon injury. Conti revealed he has been carrying this injury playing through pain between his hamstring and glute that makes him 'have to slow down at times' but has been able to play through it. Not what any of us want to here and you just know he is so important to Napoli I do not see them resting him.

If he's had it for a while, it might go some way to explaining his pretty mediocre (by his standards) WCQ. Clarke should consider resting him for the friendlies.

I don't really get why there was hope Billy Gilmour might play against Denmark if he's still out now.

[ger intae them]

was always going to be a challenge for Doak to properly establish himself, and be a regular starter at Bournemouth. But, admittedly only based on match of the day highlights, that rayan looked very good. They’re same age too.

[Caledonian Craig]

1 hour ago, BryanBlessed said:

If he's had it for a while, it might go some way to explaining his pretty mediocre (by his standards) WCQ. Clarke should consider resting him for the friendlies.

I don't really get why there was hope Billy Gilmour might play against Denmark if he's still out now.

According to Conti he has been carrying this injury since the start of the year.

[Hertsscot]

On 1/28/2026 at 10:43 AM, DesiScotsman said:

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/15853841/scotland-world-cup-2026-latest-injury-ryan-gauld/?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=footballscottishsunwhatsapp

 

Headline has been made way more dramatic than what the actual article states. Mainly for clickbait purposes.

Ryan Gauld ruled out till April at best. One of the players with an outside chance of making the World Cup squad.

 

 

That's a real shame. Gauld has looked good in his brief appearances, keeps the ball well and gives a bit of creativity to the team.

[Malcolm]

2 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:

According to Conti he has been carrying this injury since the start of the year.

Napoli may well play him and then rest him over the summer.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls out the world cup.

[bdgsct]

Has any heard anything on Doak's injury? There seems to be worrying silence around his progress.

[bdgsct]

Positive news on Doak.

On Gannon-Doak's injury, Iraola said: "He is a little bit later on, especially more than Tyler [Adams] and Tav [Marcus Tavernier]. He is starting this week to run on his own. It is an injury we don't want to take any risks, in the sense that he is a very young player. We don't just need him for these games, we need him for a lot of years. March at the moment is when we can start thinking about him."

[Hertsscot]

2 hours ago, bdgsct said:

Positive news on Doak.

On Gannon-Doak's injury, Iraola said: "He is a little bit later on, especially more than Tyler [Adams] and Tav [Marcus Tavernier]. He is starting this week to run on his own. It is an injury we don't want to take any risks, in the sense that he is a very young player. We don't just need him for these games, we need him for a lot of years. March at the moment is when we can start thinking about him."

That may not be good news with America in mind but I'm glad that they're taking a sensible approach.

[bdgsct]

13 minutes ago, Hertsscot said:

That may not be good news with America in mind but I'm glad that they're taking a sensible approach.

If he's going to match fit for the World Cup, he's realistically wanting to be playing from late march or early April to get the last 6 games or so. 

[Dodger]

3 hours ago, bdgsct said:

Positive news on Doak.

On Gannon-Doak's injury, Iraola said: "He is a little bit later on, especially more than Tyler [Adams] and Tav [Marcus Tavernier]. He is starting this week to run on his own. It is an injury we don't want to take any risks, in the sense that he is a very young player. We don't just need him for these games, we need him for a lot of years. March at the moment is when we can start thinking about him."

Great to hear. The longer it went without hearing anything, the more I was starting to fear for the summer.

[Bobby Russell's Lovechild]

On 2/8/2026 at 12:23 PM, Malcolm said:

Napoli may well play him and then rest him over the summer.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls out the world cup.

Absolutely no chance of that

[Tartan blood]

19 hours ago, Hertsscot said:

That may not be good news with America in mind but I'm glad that they're taking a sensible approach.

Why is that not good news? March is kind of perfect. It'll give him time to get back to being match sharp and be fully ready for the World cup.

I'd happily see him only being sub appearances and the odd start if it means having him fit for the World Cup. He's got plenty of time to make an impact at Bournemouth.

[Yosemite Sam]

2 hours ago, Bobby Russell's Lovechild said:

Absolutely no chance of that

I hope you're right, going over there without McTominay would be one monumental kick in the nads

Edited February 13 by Yosemite Sam

[DesiScotsman]

8 hours ago, Yosemite Sam said:

I hope you're right, going over there without McTominay would be one monumental kick in the nads

There is no way on Earth McTominay, or any other Scotland player that got us there, is going to sit out a World Cup unless he practically cannot walk. 

[Caledonian Craig]

On 2/12/2026 at 2:51 PM, Hertsscot said:

That may not be good news with America in mind but I'm glad that they're taking a sensible approach.

Sounds good news to me. He is back to jogging and World Cup is still 4 months away. 

I am only guessing here but I'd say in another six weeks he will be back in full training and so contending for a slot on the bench by April. Scotland, all being well, can include him in May friendlies for the World Cup.

In other good news Billy Gilmour is back. Made an impact in his eleven minutes substitute appearance V Roma.

[Ally Bongo]

On 2/13/2026 at 9:28 PM, DesiScotsman said:

There is no way on Earth McTominay, or any other Scotland player that got us there, is going to sit out a World Cup unless he practically cannot walk. 

 

FIFAs club protection programme does cover the salaries of players injured on International duty but pre existing injuries are excluded 

Therefore it would be a brave player that wanted their national association to pass them fit when they are already carrying an injury

[bdgsct]

Slightly off topic but how is Tierney's form? I've not seen much of Celtic this season. I'd expect an improvement since the start of the season having got so many games under his belt, compared with the last 2 seasons.

[DesiScotsman]

On 2/17/2026 at 5:54 PM, bdgsct said:

Slightly off topic but how is Tierney's form? I've not seen much of Celtic this season. I'd expect an improvement since the start of the season having got so many games under his belt, compared with the last 2 seasons.

I personally think he's been doing really well and has stayed fit for majority of the season (something I thought he was uncapable of). Has even contributed with goals and assists. I'd personally have him as my first choice LB but reckon Clarke will stick with Robbo.

[Caledonian Craig]

You can add Che Adams to the injured list with a calf injury. Torino boss says he will be out for some time. Also John McGinn has had an operation on his knee injury.

[DesiScotsman]

2 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:

You can add Che Adams to the injured list with a calf injury. Torino boss says he will be out for some time. Also John McGinn has had an operation on his knee injury.

Adams touch and go for next months games. If he needs to sit those out then that’s fine with me. With potentially him out of next months friendlies along with Shankland then might probably see McBurnie & Burke in the squad.

I noticed at the weekend Gilmour returned so that’s a positive.

[Caledonian Craig]

1 hour ago, DesiScotsman said:

Adams touch and go for next months games. If he needs to sit those out then that’s fine with me. With potentially him out of next months friendlies along with Shankland then might probably see McBurnie & Burke in the squad.

I noticed at the weekend Gilmour returned so that’s a positive.

Yes it forces Clarke into looking at other striking options. Personally, I think Tommy Conway will be above McBurnie and Burke for a call-up but McBurnie in for Hirst certainly.

Edited February 19 by Caledonian Craig