Scotland are set to face Curacao in a pre-tournament friendly at Hampden as Steve Clarke’s side prepares for this summer’s World Cup in North America.
The match promises a party atmosphere inside the national stadium as fans gather to send off the squad before their major tournament adventure begins.
Clarke recently penned a new contract and will be hoping to channel that momentum into a positive result against Dick Advocaat’s Curacao side.
After back-to-back disappointments at the European Championships, The Tartan Army are eager to see the nation succeed on the world stage this summer.
Scotland’s opener at the World Cup comes against Haiti on June 14, with Morocco and Brazil also in the group, making an early positive result crucial.
Curacao made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, coming through the same Conacaf qualifying route as Haiti.
The match also marks a significant milestone as Scotland look to end a 28-year wait to compete at a major tournament with renewed confidence.
Gordon, Hickey, Robertson, McKenna, Gilmour, Souttar, Christie, Gannon-Doak, Hirst, Shankland, and McLean have been named in the starting lineup for today’s clash.
The substitutes named are Gunn, Kelly, Fletcher, Hanley, Graham, Dykes, Wilson, Hendry, Hyam, Patterson, Ralston, and Curtis.
Former Scotland hero Robert Snodgrass has spoken about what he believes will be the key to Clarke’s team succeeding at the tournament this summer.
Snodgrass reflected on past performances, saying: “I think the lads were gutted in the draw against England at Wembley in 2021 because once you get into fight mode and you start getting involved, it then becomes a motivational tool.”
He added: “They’ve got that togetherness, they know each other, they understand each other, they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and I think that’s the big part to it that is something that will be a big factor for them going into this tournament.”
Snodgrass also stressed the importance of a strong start, stating: “It’s all about how Scotland start at the World Cup – they have to get some points on the board.”
An all-Georgian officiating team will take charge at Hampden, with Goga Kikacheishvili serving as the referee for the friendly encounter.
He will be assisted by David Akhvlediani and Davit Gabisonia, with Bakari Bregadze as fourth official and Giorgi Kruashvili handling VAR duties alongside Jeneri Khorava.
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