World Cup squad

[Caledonian Craig]

Gauld was expected to return to light training in April but no confirmation of that taking place yet and Whitecaps manager says he will be eased back in gently after a knee operation in late January.

[Mazziessc]

I'd like to see us at least  KO v Curacao with BGD and Curtis down the sides.

[exile]

21 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said:

Gauld I doubt will be fit in time. Burke and Forrest have not been near the squad in a long time so it would be real surprising if either are selected so most likely would be Curtis.

OK but do you think at least one of those four should go?

The alternative presumably being to try to create the attacking potential via other more 'regular' players via formation and tactics?

[Tartan blood]

1 hour ago, exile said:

I wonder if there is any sort of consensus that we need someone else attacking like Gannon-Doak, assuming he/they are fit and available. So out of, say, Burke, Gauld, Forrest and Curtis, should we definitely have one of them, even if we don't agree which one?

Put another way, if BGD is injured, can you imagine going to the World Cup without any of those?

I'd say 2 out of the 4 should be considered. Especially if we are only going to play 1 striker (which I agree with)

Forrest did well off the bench today, but he should be nowhere near the World Cup squad. Burke and Gauld would be my choice to go.

[Caledonian Craig]

12 minutes ago, exile said:

OK but do you think at least one of those four should go?

The alternative presumably being to try to create the attacking potential via other more 'regular' players via formation and tactics?

If any of them are to go it will be Curtis I feel. Personally, for his pace I would take Burke but I think his boat sailed when he wasn't called up in March.

[Mazziessc]

14 minutes ago, Tartan blood said:

I'd say 2 out of the 4 should be considered. Especially if we are only going to play 1 striker (which I agree with)

Forrest did well off the bench today, but he should be nowhere near the World Cup squad. Burke and Gauld would be my choice to go.

Have to think if Burke was getting in over Curtis it would have happened at the last squad. Gauld is injured just can't see Clarke taking any of those two.

[Caledonian Craig]

6 minutes ago, Mazziessc said:

Have to think if Burke was getting in over Curtis it would have happened at the last squad. Gauld is injured just can't see Clarke taking any of those two.

My thinking exactly.

[Tartan blood]

9 hours ago, Mazziessc said:

Have to think if Burke was getting in over Curtis it would have happened at the last squad. Gauld is injured just can't see Clarke taking any of those two.

That was my initial thoughts as well but now that I've (over)thought about it, Clarke did say that he has left out some people he "knows a lot about and doesn't need to see". Which makes me think there were some names that still have a good chance of being included.

I figured he was probably referring to the likes of Shankland and BGD, who were only just back from injury. Or Bowie, who he might have been giving more time to settle in Italy. But he also might have been referring to the likes of Burke, who he had in a fair few squads early on. Or maybe Porteous, Morgan and Forrest.

 

[ThistleWhistle]

Realistically we’re planning for 3-4 games and beyond that is dreamworld stuff take it as it comes.  
 

With 26 spots it gives room for a youngster like Curtis and someone who could be really useful in certain situations like Burke.

Imagine 1-0 up v Haiti and they’re pushing for an equaliser- Burke’s pace lets us just smash it for the corners, play for territory and forces them to drop 10 yards to avoid getting done over the top.  
 

Similarly, the Moroccans lose to Brazil first game and it’s 0-0 v us with 20 minutes go they’ll need push for a win.  Burke could run into the massive space behind Hakimi and give them something think about.  
 

Like in 94 suspect games will be slow in the heat but burst into short spells of intensity- taking Burke off the bench could cause mayhem with pace, power and frankly randomness.  Leaving him out of a 26 man squad would be fucking stupid.  

Edited April 20 by ThistleWhistle

[Diamond Scot]

8 minutes ago, ThistleWhistle said:

Realistically we’re planning for 3-4 games and beyond that is dreamworld stuff take it as it comes.  
 

With 26 spots it gives room for a youngster like Curtis and someone who could be really useful in certain situations like Burke.

Imagine 1-0 up v Haiti and they’re pushing for an equaliser- Burke’s pace lets us just smash it for the corners, play for territory and forces them to drop 10 yards to avoid getting done over the top.  
 

Similarly, the Moroccans lose to Brazil first game and it’s 0-0 v us with 20 minutes go they’ll need push for a win.  Burke could run into the massive space behind Hakimi and give them something think about.  
 

Like in 94 suspect games will be slow in the heat but burst into short spells of intensity- taking Burke off the bench could cause mayhem with pace, power and frankly randomness.  Leaving him out of a 26 man squad would be fucking stupid.  

This has always been my thinking with Burke. He isnt a very good footballer but his raw pace forces change in the opposition that no other player we have does. 

[Tartan blood]

13 minutes ago, ThistleWhistle said:

Realistically we’re planning for 3-4 games and beyond that is dreamworld stuff take it as it comes.  
 

With 26 spots it gives room for a youngster like Curtis and someone who could be really useful in certain situations like Burke.

Imagine 1-0 up v Haiti and they’re pushing for an equaliser- Burke’s pace lets us just smash it for the corners, play for territory and forces them to drop 10 yards to avoid getting done over the top.  
 

Similarly, the Moroccans lose to Brazil first game and it’s 0-0 v us with 20 minutes go they’ll need push for a win.  Burke could run into the massive space behind Hakimi and give them something think about.  
 

Like in 94 suspect games will be slow in the heat but burst into short spells of intensity- taking Burke off the bench could cause mayhem with pace, power and frankly randomness.  Leaving him out of a 26 man squad would be fucking stupid.  

Agreed on all counts.

All our viable strikers are hitting  lukewarm form, with the odd goal or assist recently. So you can pretty much just go with personal preference, rather than who is in the best form.

Nisbet, Shankland, R.Stewart, McBurnie, Adams, Dykes, Hirst, Bowie, B.Stewart are all playing regularly and doing fairly well.

Burke, on the other hand, isn't even an out and out striker. Goals shouldn't be the only metric to judge him by. Get him in the next squad, Clarke.

Edited April 20 by Tartan blood

[vanderark14]

43 minutes ago, Tartan blood said:

Agreed on all counts.

All our viable strikers are hitting  lukewarm form, with the odd goal or assist recently. So you can pretty much just go with personal preference, rather than who is in the best form.

Nisbet, Shankland, R.Stewart, McBurnie, Adams, Dykes, Hirst, Bowie, B.Stewart are all playing regularly and doing fairly well.

Burke, on the other hand, isn't even an out and out striker. Goals shouldn't be the only metric to judge him by. Get him in the next squad, Clarke.

Despite what some say on here, I don't think any of the strikers are doing enough or have done enough to dislodge Dykes, Adams and even Shankland and Its not just about loyalty or squad cohesion, thats only part of it. To dislodge any player for me would mean another has to be on great form, has the right attitude and will not upset the bond in the team. None of our available strikers currently tick all three boxes

Edited April 20 by vanderark14

[Tartan blood]

22 minutes ago, vanderark14 said:

Despite what some say on here, I don't think any of the strikers are doing enough or have done enough to dislodge Dykes, Adams and even Shankland and Its not just about loyalty or squad cohesion, thats only part of it. To dislodge any player for me would mean another has to be on great form, has the right attitude and will not upset the bond in the team. None of our available strikers currently tick all three boxes

Yup. And for everyone screaming from the hill top for McBurnie, he actually only has 1 goal and 1 assist in his last 10 games. That's no better than literally any of the other strikers I mentioned. 

In terms of overall numbers, Kieron Bowie actually has 11 goals this season. More than any of our other strikers except McBurnie and Shankland, but has played at a higher level than both for half a season now.

Barney Stewart is actually our most in form striker. (10 goals since New Year) Not saying he should necessarily be included, but if it's based only on form, it would be him.

So, yeah, it's really not cut and dry who really "deserves" to be in the squad.

[bdgsct]

2 minutes ago, Tartan blood said:

Yup. And for everyone screaming from the hill top for McBurnie, he actually only has 1 goal and 1 assist in his last 10 games. That's no better than literally any of the other strikers I mentioned. 

In terms of overall numbers, Kieron Bowie actually has 11 goals this season. More than any of our other strikers except McBurnie and Shankland, but has played at a higher level than both for half a season now.

Barney Stewart is actually our most in form striker. (10 goals since New Year) Not saying he should necessarily be included, but if it's based only on form, it would be him.

So, yeah, it's really not cut and dry who really "deserves" to be in the squad.

Goals and assists per minute is the fairest comparison imo. Then take into account the level they are playing at. For the full season rather than an arbitrary starting point.

[Tartan blood]

19 minutes ago, bdgsct said:

Goals and assists per minute is the fairest comparison imo. Then take into account the level they are playing at. For the full season rather than an arbitrary starting point.

• Kevin Nisbet: 11 goals 1 assist (9 goals since New Year)

• Ross Stewart: 8 goals 3 assists (6 since NY)

• George Hirst: 10 goals 2 assists (4 since NY)

• Barney Stewart 18 goals 2 assists (10 since NY but moved teams)

• Che Adams: 7 goals 3 assists (4 since NY)

• Lyndon Dykes: 5 goals 4 assists (3 since NY but moved teams)

• Lawrence Shankland: 17 goals 5 assists (4 since NY but only played 7 times)

• Oliver McBurnie: 15 goals 8 assists (5 since NY)

• Kieron Bowie: 11 goals 4 assists (2 since NY but moved teams)

• Tommy Conway: 10 goals 5 assists (6 since NY though sometimes plays wide)

I arbitrarily added goals since New Year as 3 of them moved teams at that point and it gives a bit more context and is more a reflection of current form.

As you can see, no one is miles out in front when you take into account injuries and the level they are playing at. 

[ThistleWhistle]

We’re at 70 minutes v Haiti needing a goal.  Shankland comes on for Adams, Christie comes on for McGinn - nowts changed.  Shankland would be working outside the box with midfield yards away trying to force corners or mistakes and Christie hasn’t the legs to get us up the pitch.  

Get Burke or Curtis on then maybe Patterson bombing up n down for 20 minutes on the right then Shankland might get a sniff closer to their goal.  Absolutely no point taking Shankland on if we can barely touch the ball in the final third.  
 

We need to be able to change the game not just swap people who’ll do exactly the same as the bloke they’re replacing slightly worse but slightly fresher.  

At the Euros Hungary took a bloke with the mobility of a wardrobe who played in South Korea.  He was crap but it gave them another option and in all 3 games coming off the bench he caused problems.  
 

If it was 24 (21 plus keepers) could understand going conservative in case Tierney and Hickey breakdown.  The extra 2 slots mean there’s room for BGD replacement and a wildcard.  We can’t have another tournament looking at a bench of defenders and centre midfielders.  

[exile]

I definitely would like to have the option of someone different from the regular forwards. As people are saying, it might only need to be for impact for 15 minutes of one game, to make a difference.

If I was the opposing manager, I think I would rather see a Championship understudy coming off the bench, than a Bundesliga wildcard. I think it could gee up the players too, a signal for time to 'go for it'.

Edited April 20 by exile

[broraboy]

On 4/18/2026 at 6:29 PM, romanticscot said:

Preliminary lists (up to 55 players and must include 4 keepers) are due by May 11. That’s a big boost for flexibility but only for the coaches, not for the final field.

Final 26-man rosters must be submitted by May 30. That’s set in stone. No late surprise additions from outside the original 55.

 

So, let's discuss the up to 55 and ultimately 26 squad.

Who would you pick, and who do you reckon Clarke will include? 

These are 2 very different things but very well put, it is the million dollar question 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

I think we all agree that 17 / 18 / 19 players are nailed on for going barring injury 

[ceudmilefailte]

Call me negative but it would make it easier if we named the players Clarke shouldn’t pick and who should replace them. 

[Caledonian Craig]

4 hours ago, ThistleWhistle said:

Realistically we’re planning for 3-4 games and beyond that is dreamworld stuff take it as it comes.  
 

With 26 spots it gives room for a youngster like Curtis and someone who could be really useful in certain situations like Burke.

Imagine 1-0 up v Haiti and they’re pushing for an equaliser- Burke’s pace lets us just smash it for the corners, play for territory and forces them to drop 10 yards to avoid getting done over the top.  
 

Similarly, the Moroccans lose to Brazil first game and it’s 0-0 v us with 20 minutes go they’ll need push for a win.  Burke could run into the massive space behind Hakimi and give them something think about.  
 

Like in 94 suspect games will be slow in the heat but burst into short spells of intensity- taking Burke off the bench could cause mayhem with pace, power and frankly randomness.  Leaving him out of a 26 man squad would be fucking stupid.  

Fully agree regards to Burke 

What does have the likes of Hirst have that other teams will fear? Nothing. What does Burke have that other teams will fear? Pace.

[AAAfather]

11 hours ago, Tartan blood said:

I figured he was probably referring to the likes of Shankland and BGD, who were only just back from injury. Or Bowie, who he might have been giving more time to settle in Italy. But he also might have been referring to the likes of Burke, who he had in a fair few squads early on. Or maybe Porteous, Morgan and Forrest.

 

I'm hoping Bowie can kick on in Serie A and add to his 3 goals/assists so far.

I'm hoping Clarke left Bowie out to give him time to settle in Italy.  I don't think he's a wonderkid, but I do think he has got more to offer than Hirst and is in the right environment (Serie A opponents, struggling team where opportunities to score are hard to come by) to up his game in the remaining time. 

[adamntg]

You’ve talked me into it, get Burke in the squad.  

[ThistleWhistle]

On 4/18/2026 at 9:57 PM, kumnio said:

2 right backs, 4 central defenders, 5 at a push, 2 left backs that should be it, any more than that is absolute utter stupidity.

Have we learned nothing from previous tournaments. We need attacking options to win games, not more defenders to sit on the bench. Also, please for the love of god not yet more central midfielders who offer nothing different to the other handful of central midfielders already in the squad.

• Gunn Gordon Bain
• Hickey Patterson
• Soutar Hendry McKenna Hanley Hyam
• Robertson Tierney
• Miller Ferguson Gilmour Christie McLean
• Doak Burke Gauld McGinn McTominay
• Adams Dykes Shankland Bowie

I reckon because we’re going to likely go 5 at the back for 2 games (probably 3 if we get through) he’ll take a minimum of 10 defenders.  As Hickey and Tierney are pretty injury prone wouldn’t be surprised if it was 11.

3 keepers

+ 11 defenders

+ 7 centre mid (McTominay, McGinn, Gilmour, McLean, Ferguson, Miller, Christie 

+ Adams, Dykes, Shankland, BGD with one attacking spot up for grabs probably going to Hirst or maybe Conway because he ‘can do a job’ out wide.  
 

Maybe just pessimistic but if there’s a couple of injuries in defence is he like to think ‘fuck it lets have a go’ or ‘warm up Tony - you’re on that Vinnie J fella’. 

[Kev10038]

Quote

On 4/20/2026 at 1:15 PM, Tartan blood said:

• Kevin Nisbet: 11 goals 1 assist (9 goals since New Year)

• Ross Stewart: 8 goals 3 assists (6 since NY)

• George Hirst: 10 goals 2 assists (4 since NY)

• Barney Stewart 18 goals 2 assists (10 since NY but moved teams)

• Che Adams: 7 goals 3 assists (4 since NY)

• Lyndon Dykes: 5 goals 4 assists (3 since NY but moved teams)

• Lawrence Shankland: 17 goals 5 assists (4 since NY but only played 7 times)

• Oliver McBurnie: 15 goals 8 assists (5 since NY)

• Kieron Bowie: 11 goals 4 assists (2 since NY but moved teams)

• Tommy Conway: 10 goals 5 assists (6 since NY though sometimes plays wide)

I arbitrarily added goals since New Year as 3 of them moved teams at that point and it gives a bit more context and is more a reflection of current form.

As you can see, no one is miles out in front when you take into account injuries and the level they are playing at. 

  - Robbie Ure has 8 goals and 2 assists in his last 9 matches for Swedish league leaders

 

[immcinto]

On 4/20/2026 at 1:15 PM, Tartan blood said:

• Kevin Nisbet: 11 goals 1 assist (9 goals since New Year)

• Ross Stewart: 8 goals 3 assists (6 since NY)

• George Hirst: 10 goals 2 assists (4 since NY)

• Barney Stewart 18 goals 2 assists (10 since NY but moved teams)

• Che Adams: 7 goals 3 assists (4 since NY)

• Lyndon Dykes: 5 goals 4 assists (3 since NY but moved teams)

• Lawrence Shankland: 17 goals 5 assists (4 since NY but only played 7 times)

• Oliver McBurnie: 15 goals 8 assists (5 since NY)

• Kieron Bowie: 11 goals 4 assists (2 since NY but moved teams)

• Tommy Conway: 10 goals 5 assists (6 since NY though sometimes plays wide)

I arbitrarily added goals since New Year as 3 of them moved teams at that point and it gives a bit more context and is more a reflection of current form.

As you can see, no one is miles out in front when you take into account injuries and the level they are playing at. 

When you take into account injuries add the level they are playing at Ross Stewart is way out in front