“I believe a medal of some kind is in our future. I’m hoping for the gold,” Ally MacLeod famously expressed in 1978, a year that ended in disappointment for Scotland. Unlike MacLeod, current manager Steve Clarke remains cautious and avoids making bold declarations. The excitement is palpable among fans and players alike, and who can blame them?
In their final friendly before making their first World Cup appearance in nearly three decades, Scotland delivered a resounding victory against Bolivia. Concerns regarding their upcoming critical match against Haiti next weekend quickly faded away. If Clarke’s squad can maintain this level of efficiency and ruthlessness when the tournament kicks off, they stand a solid chance of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time in their history. This friendly, initially viewed as a mere formality, instead instilled a robust sense of confidence among Scottish supporters as they fondly recall their inaugural encounter with Bolivia.
Scottish players Lawrence Shankland, Scott McTominay, and Ché Adams, who scored twice, propelled Scotland to a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime. It was an exhilarating performance. While it’s fair to acknowledge the limited quality of their opponents, this is precisely the type of challenge Scotland should expect in their opening Group C match. Although they eased off the gas in the second half, Scotland’s approach remained impressive. The pivotal question now is whether they can replicate this performance under tournament pressure.
Shankland has solidified his position as a likely starter against Haiti, joining the ranks of Andy Robertson, Aaron Hickey, McTominay, and John McGinn. Clarke will likely favor pairing Adams with Shankland up front, especially after witnessing their effective collaboration against Bolivia. The manager faces tough decisions regarding the starting goalkeeper and center-back positions in Boston. Ryan Christie’s standout display against Bolivia has certainly boosted his chances for the Haiti match.
“We are as prepared as we can be at this stage,” Clarke remarked. “Now, we need to ensure we kick off the tournament on the right foot. It’s not often they deliver everything I request, so I’m pleased with that. I have fantastic dilemmas now. We have options.”
In the sweltering heat of New Jersey, Scotland made an explosive start. Robertson executed a one-two with Christie before delivering a cross to the back post. Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra should have handled Shankland’s header better, but Scotland’s No. 20 had no complaints, marking his third goal in just two matches. Adams, full of energy, also tested Viscarra with a close attempt that went narrowly wide.
A second goal followed swiftly. Shankland returned the ball to McTominay, who unleashed a low shot from 18 yards that left the shaky Viscarra no chance. Bolivia briefly halted Scotland’s momentum during the first drinks break, but it proved to be a fleeting respite.
The Scots’ third goal was a beautifully orchestrated play. Hickey found the advancing Ben Gannon-Doak, who, despite prior criticism about his decision-making, delivered a perfect cross to Adams. The Torino striker made no mistake. Typically, Scotland struggles in friendlies, but they were in complete control.
This was a promising sign for Clarke. Bolivia holds a higher ranking than Haiti, a team Scotland must overcome to secure a chance at advancing to the World Cup’s knockout stage. Viscarra showed why he was on the international scene with an acrobatic save in the 40th minute from Gannon-Doak, while Robertson was unfortunate not to find the net from the resulting corner.
Scotland matched a first-half scoreline margin previously achieved against England in 1878 and last replicated against the Faroe Islands two decades ago. Gannon-Doak, making a strong case for a World Cup starting role, surged from midfield before finding Adams, who managed to beat Viscarra on his second attempt. The Scots went into halftime leading 4-0, marking a remarkable achievement of scoring four goals in consecutive matches.
“Ben really showcased his potential today,” Clarke praised Gannon-Doak. “We know the contributions he can make.”
Shankland missed a chance to extend the lead after 61 minutes, shooting wide from Kieran Tierney’s cross. Later, George Hirst also came close to scoring a fifth goal. Substitutions, combined with the relentless heat, slowed Scotland’s rhythm. Only Scott McKenna, Lyndon Dykes, and Nathan Patterson remained on the field without participating. It turned into a game they simply needed to manage without sustaining injuries like those that had sidelined Billy Gilmour just a week prior.
This time, there were no negative notes. Clarke won’t be channeling the hubris of MacLeod. Nevertheless, Scotland heads into the World Cup with a renewed sense of optimism.
