Tartan Blood

The impression I get from the squad announcement is that he really wants to take Gordon, but knows his club form doesn't justify dropping Kelly. So he'll use these friendlies as the excuse to take him to the Euros. Possibly a similar scenario with the CBs. He knows Cooper doesn't deserve a squad place over Souttar based on club form. So, when he announces his final 23 with Cooper and Gordon, and without Kelly and Souttar, he'll be able to at least point to these friendlies as an excuse for doing it.

Very true. All of the expectation will be on the hosts to win. If anyone is going to crumple under the pressure, it'll be the Germans. Especially since they'll already have the fans and media on their back for their recent form. We have such a settled squad now that I don't think it'll be too much of an issue. Hickey, Gunn and Porteous are probably the 3 players most likely to start that don't have the big tournament experience yet. Hickey plays in the EPL, so he'll be fine. And Porteous has never appeared over-awed or nervous either. Gunn has never really let us down, so I'm sure he'll be grand as well.

That's partly why I included McGregor in the list of names. (plus champions league matches)

If Gordon can regain his fitness, I'd be happy to have him between the sticks. By god he deserves it. The thing I'm worried about is that there will be the best part of a billion eyes watching us against Germany. Robertson is probably the only player to experience the equivalent in a football match (champions league final). McTominay, Tierney, McGinn and McGregor have all played in big games, but nothing like this. Hopefully none of our players get overwhelmed by the occasion. This is why having previous tournament experience is going to be so vital.

I do think just looking at cap totals can be very misleading, as getting 6 minutes at the end of a match still counts towards a cap total. So, the likes of Miller probably started the majority of his games, and was up front for all of them. I've no idea if Dalglish was much of a sub at the beginning or end of his career, but I do know he wasn't always played as an out and out centre forward. So the 30 goals may be more impressive than it seems on the surface. I wonder how McGinn will be viewed 40 years from now. Will people know he isn't a striker? Or that he played as a deep lying midfielder for the his first 20+ caps?

Clarke has mentioned before that he likes players that can play multiple positions. Which will be vitally important with the reduced squad size. So, although you're saying McTominay was taken as a midfielder, he could also play in a back 3, which ended up materialising. For example, Forrest and Fraser had been tested out at wing back prior to the Euros with the above in mind. Armstrong and McGinn have both been played in deeper lying midfield roles in the past. We now know Christie can do that as well (been doing it with Bournemouth) Also, Fleck definitely isn't an attacking midfielder. And you counted Cooper twice. (I assume you meant Hendry) I'd actually expect more centre backs this time round knowing McTominay won't be played there, and the emergence of Porteous and Souttar. The last Euros squad just about picked itself, with the aid of some injuries. This one is going to be soooo much harder to choose.

The more games he gets, the better his decision making will get. Playing him for Scotland could aid and speed up his overall development. He would also start getting help from the Scotland coaches (if he isn't already). With Gakpo injured and Jota suspended, he could be getting significant minutes in Europe and the EPL before the next international window. I'm convinced he'll be in our 26 man Euros squad. So I think we should get him in to train, at the very least, sooner rather than later.

I don't think he deserves to take anyone's squad place either. But he doesn't have to. Let's take 26 players, instead of 25 next time. Is 1 extra player that much of a burden? If Clarke has any inclination that he might include Doak in the Euros squad, then he should really be getting him in to train with the seniors as early as possible.

What's also incredible is that only 32 players were in the Roll of honour up until Robertson entered it. That's in our entire history! McGinn and McGregor have also joined him. Bringing the total to 35. In this current team I could quite easily envisage Hanley (48), Armstrong (43), McTominay (42), Christie (40), and Tierney (40) all entering into the roll of honour in the next year. 2 at the most. Then the likes of Dykes (31) and McKenna (29) aren't too far behind. We could easily be adding 10+ names to the the roll of honour list before this team is finished. I know some people were annoyed at Clarke for subbing on some veterans against Cyprus, when Ferguson, Nisbet etc all sat on the bench. But he clearly wants to boost our cap total and maximise the experience levels in the core of the squad. It's also a reward for showing commitment.

The emergence of Gilmour has transformed us into having the option of being a possession based team. McGregor has always been good at it, but having a partner in there makes it much more fluid. Add to that the fact we'll always have overlapping fullbacks to ping the ball to. As well as having McGinn. It is virtually impossible to take the ball off him without fouling him.

Aw shucks. I've got a sneaking suspicion Clarke will include Doak in the Euros squad. He'll be 18 by then and hopefully have a handful of Europa league and cup starts under his belt. But we need to be patient. He is being moulded into our first bonafide superstar in a generation. We can wait.

We need to remember that he is only 17. It's quite rare for any player to be getting regular first team football by 19/20, nevermind before they can even buy a beer. He's the understudy to arguably one of the best wingers of the last 5-10 years (Salah). Will be trying to beat a Ballon D'Or runner up in training (Van Dijk), and put the ball past Brazil and Ireland's no.1 goalies (Allison and Kelleher). All whilst having his national team captain alongside him to mentor and keep him grounded. He's in exactly the right place. This time next year, I'd maybe consider sending him on loan, but right now he will be learning so much just by turning up for training and being used from the bench occasionally.

That's a very strong squad. I'm not sure Ralston will make the cut though. Patterson and Hickey would be the first choice right backs. And I think Hendry could slot in there if needs must. Having 2 players for every position is the norm. So I think it would be Cooper before Ralston. So 6 CBs for 3 positions. Could easily be Souttar, depending on how his season goes. I do think Jack will make the finals squad, but he's hanging on by a thread. The Euros may be his last inclusion. In my opinion, every squad needs a wildcard, which is the main reason I'd take Doak. And we need to have something a bit out of the ordinary coming off the bench when plan A isn't working. Depending on if either end up having a good season, that could be Fraser or Turnbull.

I agree. And Gordon, Hanley and Cooper aren't even available. I'm excited to see what our final 26 will be at the Euros.

Genuinely, every time a new player comes in, they seem to be an upgrade. With the exception of injury call ups, our squad is just getting stronger every break. And we haven't even got Doak in yet! Jacob Brown is an EPL player now, so he might come back into future squads. And the likes of Turnbull and Fraser could force their way back into the reckoning as well. But if this was the 26 man squad (25 plus Doak) I'd be overjoyed.

It's usually a bit of a toss up between Nisbet and Shankland, and I'd generally go with the one that is in the best current form. Obviously that is Shankland, but Nisbet will be still finding his feet at Millwall. I wouldn't be against calling up both, though. I'd be pleasantly surprised if Doak makes the squad. I really don't see it though. I'd rather he stayed with Liverpool than went to the u21s, if those are the options.

If you don't agree, or see, the parallels between the 2 situations, then fair enough, I won't try to convince you. But, you are right, Clarke won't call up Doak if he doesn't think he'll contribute to the squad i.e the same as every other player.

It is very relevant. Doak is probably 6-12 months younger and plays in a different position, but pretty much everything else is identical.It also shows Clarke's proclivity towards choosing squads. Gilmour most likely benefitted from both Jack and McLean being injured. Doak may benefit from Forrest no longer being in the equation, and Fraser needs to get his act together if he wants to be involved again. Central midfield has a lot more competition than right wing.

I get that there are differences, but this is as close to a like for like comparison as you will get. Especially since Gilmour was getting touted for callups for previous squads long before Clarke actually decided to include him. Injuries will obviously play a part in selection, but I'd be shocked if we get to next June and not have a few unlucky souls that won't make it through injury. (Fingers crossed everyone is available) I don't think Doak will get called up for the next squad, and the more I think about it the less I think he should. But I'm sure between Robertson and Clarke they will make the correct decision as to when is the right time. Because his inclusion is inevitable. It's not if, but when.

I know the situation is a bit more nuanced than I've stated, but I can't envisage a better comparison than the last Euros. He chose 2 uncapped teenagers for the squad. Which could be what Doak is. I'm also assuming we have a 26 man squad again. So that is an extra 3 players right off the bat. If Fraser doesn't ressurect his career at Celtic, or anywhere else, then you could argue Doak would be taking his spot. But more likely is that Forrest won't be called up again and that would be the like for like replacement. Obviously you have the likes of Jacob Brown and Shankland that are in and out of squads but I feel like it'll be quite easy to make room for Doak in a 26 man squad.

If he gets papped back down to the u23s and doesn't make another bench for Liverpool between now and the Euros, then fair enough. But he's currently getting similar exposure to what Gilmour was getting for Chelsea, which Clarke deemed good enough for the Euros. Doak also has the advantage that he plays in a position and style like no one else in the squad. He could be the wildcard supersub. The secret weapon. Honestly, I think Andy Robertson will be the deciding factor for Clarke. If he says he is good enough and ready, Clarke will get him in. He'll know him more intimately than anyone.

Spot on. Based on the fact Clarke called up Gilmour and Patterson for the Euros, there is no reason to think he won't do the same with Doak. It would be so much better having him going to that tournament with a few caps under his belt, but, more importantly, a few training camps under his belt.

Context is very important in the hype levels though. The big difference is Gilmour was getting a game in his teens at Champions League winners, Chelsea. Turnbull was getting a game for Motherwell, Ferguson - Aberdeen, Hickey - Hearts, Ramsay - Aberdeen, Doig - Hibs. No disrespect to those teams, but the players you have to supplant are of a vastly different calibre. Patterson was for Rangers, which isn't quite Chelsea, but there was definitely plenty of hype around him. The 2 others I can think of that are comparable were Gauld and Burke. But even they weren't being picked at world class teams. You can bet if Hepburn or Morrison had been subbed on for Bayern, they'd be getting the same treatment as Doak and Gilmour.

This exactly. Other than in the unlikely event that he gets injured whilst away with us, there is no downside. This isn't the Euros squad, so he doesn't have to replace someone. Especially since we have friendlies coming up. He can just come along as an extra and get to know the core of the squad that he'll (probably) be spending a lot of time with in the future. His teammate and Scotland captain will keep him grounded (if that were a concern) I'll fully understand why Clarke won't call him up in the next squad, or even the one after that. But I'm pretty certain he will be in the Euros squad. Gilmour and Patterson didn't have much more experience than Doak has now when they were called up. They weren't much older either. (Doak will be 18 by then)

Totally agree. Sometimes you can just tell that it is inevitable someone will become an international. Obviously we've had plenty of false messiahs before. (Oli Burke, Ryan Gauld) But look at Billy Gilmour - 21 years old and already has 18 caps. I can't imagine there are too many other Scots in our history that racked up that many caps by that age. It'll do him the world of good. It would be great if we took Doak to the Euros next year and have him sitting on 6 or 7 caps already. Even if most of those caps are from the bench, it'll still be valuable. He'll be 18 by then and be primed for a big tournament. I'm sure Clarke is not oblivious to the hype surrounding him.