“I believe a medal is within reach. I hope and pray it’s the gold one.” Ally MacLeod’s overconfidence in 1978 is still a talking point. A disappointing loss to Peru and a draw against Iran sealed his fate. In contrast, Steve Clarke has consistently shied away from making grand predictions. The excitement is left for the fans. Who could blame them for feeling optimistic?
In their final match before making their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, Scotland overwhelmed Bolivia. Concerns about a crucial match against Haiti next weekend vanished swiftly. If Clarke’s squad maintains this level of ruthlessness and efficiency during the tournament, they have a significant chance of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time in their history. This friendly, initially seen as just a routine match, turned into a source of great confidence for the Scots. Scotland will look back on their inaugural encounter with Bolivia with fond memories.
With goals from Lawrence Shankland, Scott McTominay, and two from Ché Adams, Scotland established a commanding four-goal lead by halftime. It was an exhilarating display. While it’s fair to note the limited caliber of the opposition, Scotland can expect a similar challenge in their opening match of Group C. Although they eased off the gas in the second half, Scotland’s performance remained commendable. The pivotal question remains: will they deliver when it truly counts?
Shankland has now solidified his position as a likely starter against Haiti, joining Andy Robertson, Aaron Hickey, McTominay, and John McGinn in that category. Clarke is likely eager to pair Adams with Shankland in attack, especially after their impressive combination against Bolivia. The manager faces difficult decisions regarding the starting goalkeeper and center-back positions as they head to Boston. Ryan Christie’s standout performance against Bolivia should boost his chances for the Haiti match.
“We are as prepared as we can be at this stage,” Clarke remarked. “Now we must ensure a strong start to the tournament. It’s not often I get everything I ask for, so I’m pleased. I have some fantastic dilemmas to consider. There are options available.”
In the sweltering heat of New Jersey, the Scots launched an impressive offensive. Robertson completed a one-two with Christie before sending a cross to the back post. Although Bolivia’s goalkeeper, Guillermo Viscarra, should have dealt with Shankland’s header better, Scotland’s No. 20 celebrated his third goal in just two matches. Adams, who was a constant threat, tested Viscarra before sending a shot just wide.
A second goal followed swiftly. Shankland played the ball back to McTominay, whose powerful strike from 18 yards out found the net, leaving the unconvincing Viscarra with no chance. Bolivia briefly gained a sense of hope from the first drinks break, but it was short-lived.
Scotland’s third goal was a delightful team effort. Hickey passed to the advancing Ben Gannon-Doak, who had faced criticism for his decision-making. Gannon-Doak responded with a perfect cross to Adams, who made no mistake in finishing. Scotland, often lackluster in friendlies, was dominating the match.
This performance was particularly encouraging for Clarke. Bolivia’s ranking is higher than that of Haiti, an opponent Scotland must defeat to advance to the World Cup’s knockout stage. Viscarra provided a 40th-minute reminder of his suitability for international football with an acrobatic save from Gannon-Doak. Robertson was unfortunate not to score from the resulting corner.
Scotland achieved a first-half scoreline that matched records set against England in 1878 and most recently against the Faroe Islands two decades ago. Gannon-Doak, making a strong case for a starting spot in the World Cup, surged from midfield and found Adams, who managed to beat Viscarra on his second attempt. The Scots went into halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead, marking their fourth consecutive match with four goals.
“Ben performed exceptionally well today,” said Clarke regarding Gannon-Doak. “We know his capabilities.”
Shankland somehow managed to miss from Kieran Tierney’s cross in the 61st minute, while George Hirst came close to adding a fifth goal shortly after. Substitutions, coupled with the sweltering heat, slowed Scotland’s momentum. Scott McKenna, Dykes, and Nathan Patterson were the only outfield players who did not see action. They simply needed to manage the game effectively, avoiding the injury that dashed Billy Gilmour’s World Cup dream just a week prior.
There were no sour notes this time around. Clarke will not want to channel his inner MacLeod. Nevertheless, Scotland heads into the tournament with a collective spring in their step.
