Does Steve Clarke’s squad suggest Scotland formation change?

Has Steve Clarke’s squad selection revealed a plan to move to a different formation?

With just four centre-backs named his 24-man set-up, some are speculating that the Scotland head coach could look to move away from his favoured back-five shape.

For the majority of Clarke’s spell, he has deployed 5-3-2 and 5-4-1 formations – the latter of which was used from the start in each of the three Euro 2024 games.

But after a dismal campaign in Germany, Clarke suffered intense criticism for a dull attacking approach and many put that down to the shape he continued to implement.

Speaking on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, coach and analyst John Walker believes the former Kilmarnock manager’s squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal proves we are now “going to see a 4-3-3”.

“We’re going to see the end of this 5-3-2, 5-4-1 box-midfield formation,” he adds. “It’s a formation we brought in only to suit the fact we had two world-class left-backs in Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney.

“We don’t have two world-class left-backs any more. We’ve got a world-class left-back and somebody who will miss 50% of the games every year, so we need something different.

“It needs to be players like Ben Doak, Lewis Morgan and Ryan Gauld who come into those areas in the frontline. Then you’ve got Che Adams, Laurence Shankland and Lyndon Dykes who will still perform that lone striker role.

“I think we’re probably going to see John McGinn slot back one, rather than in a more advanced position. I’m quite excited to see if we take the handbrake off and start going for teams.”