Scotland vs. Croatia lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news and injuries: Ben Doak starts, McTominay the No. 10 | Sporting News

Scotland take on Croatia at Hampden Park on Friday night, desperately looking for a win to aid their UEFA Nations League survival hopes.

The Tartan Army have endured a tough run of results of late, winning just once from their in their past 16 matches dating back to September 2023. They sit bottom of Nations League A Group 1, with one point from four matches.

A win for Steve Clarke’s side against perennial overachievers Croatia could propel Scotland to safety in the competition. 

The Sporting News previews the crunch clash and looks at the team news and injuries for both sides heading to Glasgow. 

MORE: UEFA Nations League fixtures, results, schedule and format for European international football competition

Scotland vs. Croatia confirmed starting 11, team news

Steve Clarke is without Angus Gunn and James Forrest due to injuries, both of whom are usually key members of his squad. John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong are back in contention to boost Clarke’s options in the middle of the park, although both are on the bench.

Liverpool youngster Ben Doak — who has been impressing on loan at Middlesbrough of late — is granted a start, with the forward-thinking duo Che Adams and Lewis Morgan unavailable for this international break.

Scotland starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Gordon (GK) — Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson — Gilmour, McLean — Doak, McTominay, Christie — Conway

Scotland subs: McGinn, Dykes, Shankland, Slicker, Taylor, Barron, Porteous, McKenna, Armstrong, Gauld, McCrorie

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic misses this game through suspension after being sent off against Poland in his nation’s previous match. The uber-experienced midfield pair of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic both start.

Fiorentina’s Marin Pongracic is sidelined due to a hip injury, but Ajax star Josip Sutalo has been passed fit to be involved. Former Southampton man Duje Caleta-Car joins him in central defence. 

Croatia starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Kotarski (GK) — Jakic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol — Modric, Kovacic — L. Sucic, P. Sucic, Baturina — Kramaric

Croatia subs: Pongracic, Moro, Marco Pasalic, Labrovic, Vlasic, Perisic, Mario Pasalic, Orsic, Sosa, Pjaca, Matanovic, Ivusic

Scotland vs. Croatia live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this UEFA Nations League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: