Steve Clarke has raised eyebrows with his decision to draft Tyler Fletcher into Scotland’s World Cup squad as a replacement for Billy Gilmour.
The Record Sport panel has been debating whether that call was the right one, with strong opinions emerging across the board.
Keith Jackson argued that Fletcher looked decent in his cameo against Curacao but insisted Lennon Miller was the obvious choice for the call-up.
“The Udinese man was already on standby after the disappointment of failing to make the initial cut,” Jackson noted, adding that Miller “deserved a late call.”
Scott McDermott was equally unconvinced, saying: “It should have been Lennon Miller. He deserved the spot so I was stunned Fletcher got the nod. He must have been hugely impressive in camp.”
Scott Burns suggested Fletcher was fortunate, pointing to Lennon Miller and Elliot Watt, who he described as having “an outstanding season at Motherwell”, as more deserving candidates.
Michael Gannon acknowledged the boldness of the decision, noting Fletcher had just 17 minutes of senior football before Saturday and is replacing a squad mainstay rather than a fringe player.
Gannon added that getting a potential star into the setup early could be shrewd, particularly with England reportedly showing interest in the player.
The panel also debated whether Lawrence Shankland has done enough to earn a starting place in Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti following his sharp double on Saturday.
All four journalists agreed Shankland deserves to start, with Gannon calling it “an absolute no brainer to chuck him in against Haiti” given his form and Scotland’s need for goals.
Jackson said Shankland’s performance “underlines why he must start the must-win opener against Haiti, even if he drops back to the bench for the next two group games.”
McDermott was emphatic, saying: “Yes, 100 percent. He should have been starting anyway but his goals – and the way he finishes them – has cemented his place.”
Remaining preparation concerns ahead of the tournament in the USA include the goalkeeping decision, the central defensive partnership, and questions over whether Findlay Curtis has moved ahead of Ben Gannon-Doak in the winger pecking order.
Burns also flagged a tactical concern, warning that Scotland were too open in their setup during the Curaçao match, though he suggested fitness and heat acclimatisation remain the primary focus.
The panel also turned its attention to Celtic’s ongoing search for a new manager, with debate over whether the club is right to take its time with the appointment.
Jackson was openly critical, saying: “It’s a typically unimpressive start to the close season from a board which seems perennially unsure of itself. If Martin O’Neill is the man then get it done.”
Burns echoed caution, noting the club had made a mess of their last permanent appointment and insisting “it is not about when you appoint, it is about making the right one.”
Gannon urged urgency regardless, stating the new man must get to work quickly given the volume of squad preparation required ahead of the new term.
About the Author
