Scotland: The key issues for Steve Clarke’s struggling & depleted side

Some of the newer faces in the squad stepping up and making an impact could inject some life into Scotland’s form this year.

Clarke has made the decision not to call up many players from the under-21s squad given the junior side are going well in their own European qualification campaign and have crucial games against Belgium and Kazakhstan to play during this international window.

It means in-form Scottish Premiership midfielders Lennon Miller and Connor Barron, or Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston, are missing, which could have generated some excitement.

Even with lots of players out, the squad has a familiar feel to it and it falls to teenage Middlesbrough winger Ben Doak and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Gauld, who both made their debuts as substitutes last month, to bring some freshness.

Doak has made five appearances in the Championship since the last international break, when the 18-year-old helped set up a goal against Poland and scored his first goal on loan to Boro from Liverpool against Stoke City.

His pace and dribbling ability offers something completely different, particularly with the recent switch to a back four.

Gauld has been nursing an injury in recent weeks, but the 28-year-old looked bright when coming on against Poland, creating two chances.

Then there is Andy Irving, the West Ham United midfielder taking part in his first camp. His story in itself is positive, having been released by Heart of Midlothian and ending up in the Premier League via the lower leagues in Austria and Germany.

“It’s been a mad journey to be honest,” the 24-year-old told the Scotland national side’s media channels this week.

“In Austria, I played more as an attacking midfielder and number 10 – when I was in Scotland, I was a bit more defensive. I’ve added different things to my game.”