Key questions in Scotland boss Steve Clarke’s Euro 2024 squad selection

Not so long ago, this was the same as asking: ‘Who’s fit to run about and kick a ball?’.

In recent weeks, Scotland players with injury concerns have reached double figures. Although match sharpness may be an issue for some, thankfully, most have returned in some capacity.

What now appears to be certain, though, is Scotland’s number one and two picks at right-wing back, Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson, are among those who won’t recover in time.

Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson is another, while fellow midfielder Stuart Armstrong remains a doubt after being stretchered off for Southampton last month, but his club boss Russell Martin reckons he has a “big chance” of being fit in time.

That means there are some places up for grabs, but who’s guaranteed a plane ticket? Judging by recent squads, we reckon at least 22 places are sealed.

Angus Gunn and Zander Clark are surely guarantees in the goalkeeping department, with one of Craig Gordon or Liam Kelly taking the third space, although four keepers jetting off to Germany is a real possibility in an increased 26-man squad.

Now for the defence. Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous are shoo-ins, and you have to imagine Liam Cooper, Grant Hanley, Scott McKenna, Greg Taylor and John Souttar will be too.

Clarke’s midfield selection will at the very least be a six-man list, given Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kenny McLean and Scott McTominay are certainties. A fit Armstrong would add to that.

That leaves forward trio Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland to take our final guaranteed positions.

Quick arithmetic tells us, at best, there are probably only four spots free, though a fourth keeper on the plane would nudge that figure down to just three.