There is an entire generation of Scotland supporters who have never experienced this kind of thing before. World Cup send-offs are, for so many, something of an alien concept — something we haven’t needed to trouble ourselves with for 28 excruciatingly long years.
Indeed, a fair number of Steve Clarke’s squad were a mere twinkle in their parents’ eyes the last time it happened. And those who were fortunate enough to be around in the build-up to France 98 would do well to remember anything about it.
Thankfully, the wait is over. The visit of World Cup debutants Curacao to Hampden Park this afternoon will provide both the Tartan Army and the players with the opportunity to say cheerio ahead of the big shindig in the States.
But putting the emotion of it all to one side, there is plenty at stake for Clarke. By this stage, the manager will have a crystal-clear picture of what his best XI will look like. The problem is, a number of his key men heading into the tournament have very few minutes in the legs. Which is why the importance of today’s fixture cannot be understated. Friendly or not, these guys need to get up to speed pronto.
Aaron Hickey: a fitness gamble at right-back
Take Aaron Hickey for starters. There is no doubt that the Brentford defender is far and away Clarke’s best option at right-back. However, the 23-year-old started just 12 times in all competitions last season, with hamstring issues a constant source of frustration. Even when fit, Hickey has found Michael Kayode a tough guy to shift.
His ability is not up for debate. You do not play in the Premier League — and formerly in Serie A with Bologna — without being a top player. But with such little game time under his belt since the turn of the year, there is a legitimate question over whether he is capable of playing a full 90 in the US. Starting and finishing the game today would go some way to answering it.
Ben Gannon-Doak: a talisman needing minutes
It is a similar story for Ben Gannon-Doak. The teenager has been sensational for Scotland under Clarke — a proper winger with all the raw talent in the world and the maturity to match. Every time he gets the ball, you just expect something to happen. More often than not, it does.
His contribution to Scotland’s epic 4-2 win over Denmark in November, which sealed qualification to these finals, tends to be overlooked — understandably so — considering how that match played out. But it was his dancing feet on the right-hand side which created the half-yard of space needed to pick out Scott McTominay in the middle of the box three minutes in. We know what happened next.
Injury cruelly cut Gannon-Doak’s evening short against the Danes, and he is still working his way back to full fitness. Since his return to the fold at Bournemouth in mid-March, he has been on the pitch for less than an hour. That has to be a concern for Clarke.
Findlay Curtis’ inclusion in the squad is fully merited after a stellar few months at Kilmarnock. He deserves a chance to show what he can do this weekend — and against Bolivia in New Jersey next Saturday — but getting Gannon-Doak out there should be just as big a priority. He could be the difference between whether Scotland progress to the knockouts for the first time this summer.
Billy Gilmour: a technician in need of rhythm
Unlike Hickey and Gannon-Doak, Billy Gilmour would not be considered a nailed-on starter in Clarke’s midfield. John McGinn, Lewis Ferguson and Scott McTominay — in all likelihood — have the three central slots locked up. But that does not mean he will not have a part to play. After all, he is arguably the best technician Clarke has at his disposal. No one else possesses his ability to drift into pockets of space, take possession in tight areas and keep things ticking over.
His situation at Napoli is a strange one. Despite making a tangible impact almost every time he plays, Gilmour has not been able to successfully oust Slovakian internationalist Stanislav Lobotka in the No 6 role over his two years in Italy. A long-term groin injury which ruled him out between November and mid-January did not help matters, but outstanding displays in wins over Torino, Lecce and Cagliari following his comeback suggested he might be about to make the position his own.
Somewhat bizarrely, the 24-year-old failed to start any of the last eight Serie A fixtures. He did not even make it off the bench in five of them. There is no lingering injury woe to speak of. He just needs minutes, and the next two games present an opportunity for Gilmour to get a substantial amount under his belt. There is no benefit whatsoever in keeping him on the sidelines.
Few would argue this is the finest Scotland squad we have assembled in decades. But let us not pretend we are good enough to enjoy the luxury of letting players ease their way into the competition. Everyone must be fit and raring to go when the action gets underway against Haiti on June 14.
