Scotland’s picture for World Cup opener clearer and brighter after Bolivia boost

Scotland arrived at Euro 2024 with more questions than answers swirling around their squad. The team were on a poor run of form, with umpteen players looking jaded. What happened next proved grisly. While the level of Curaçao and Bolivia – plus the motivational levels of the latter – must be acknowledged, a Scottish side notching eight goals in back-to-back friendlies has altered grey areas for Steve Clarke. Scotland’s picture before Saturday’s World Cup opener against Haiti is now a clearer one. This time, they look far from jaded. Clarke operated for a lengthy spell with a single centre-forward, typically Ché Adams. The form of Lawrence Shankland, added to a desire to increase Scotland’s potency, has altered that policy. Shankland and Adams combined excellently against Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday, scoring three of Scotland’s four goals. It will be a shock if they are not the chosen two for Haiti. It is a sign of Shankland’s current touch that during post-match media duties he expressed irritation at not converting a Kieran Tierney chance to put the Scots 5-0 in front. He also pushed back on his status as a guaranteed international starter. “You never assume anything in football,” said the 30-year-old. “What you can do, when you get the opportunity to go on the pitch, is put your best foot forward, and I’ve always said that. “Every time you go away with Scotland all the boys feel the same. …