Clarke's 'got some decisions to make' - but what are they?

ByAmy Canavan

BBC Sport Scotland at Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey

With a smile on his face, Steve Clarke rejoiced in his Bolivia post-match interview.

"For once, I got everything I asked for - no injuries, a performance and a good result," the Scotland head coach told BBC Scotland.

What he also got was a selection headache.

As his sensational Scotland signed off their pre-tournament camp with a wonderful win and positive performance to ensure the feel-good factor is flowing, they also made certain that Clarke has a few tough calls to make.

To a man in the first-half, they were sublime. An untroubled defence were still stable and commanding, while the magic midfield four were here, there and everywhere. Two strikers, three goals; that makes for good reading.

"I've got some decisions to make," Clarke admitted after the superb win in the sweltering New Jersey heat.

"The starting XI becomes a fixation, but this is a tournament for your finishing XI."

BBC Sport Scotland focuses on that fixation and weighs in on Clarke's big calls.

You're always advised not to read into squad numbers, but it's different when it comes to goalkeepers, isn't it?

Angus Gunn was confirmed as Scotland's "number one" when the list was locked in earlier in the week, but does that mean the Nottingham Forest man starts between the sticks on Sunday?

He had little to do on Saturday against Bolivia, bar one memorable save for the cameras. But he'll take those days at the office every time they're offered.

While there was little else to go off, the only other thing was he was the only player to last the 90 minutes. Last Saturday, Heart of Midlothian veteran Craig Gordon appeared to receive a second career farewell at Hampden as he was replaced with Rangers' Liam Kelly after 77 minutes against Curacao.

For much of those 77 minutes, though, the Hearts shotstopper had little to do other than pick the ball out of his own net, but he couldn't do much to prevent that.

What the pair do have in common is a lack of minutes for their club this season. That's been well documented.

However, there seems to be a feeling Gordon, who will be the oldest player at the World Cup at the age of 43, will get a chance to check off playing at a major tournament this summer after he brutally missed out on Euro 2024, despite struggling with a shoulder injury for the second half of the season.

"Me being me, I was really happy with the defensive work they did, the way they dropped down, kept the team compact and didn't allow Bolivia to play through us," Clarke revealed.

Although he was probably one of the only ones inside the nifty home of the New York Red Bulls to vocalise how impressive his backline were, it certainly didn't go unnoticed.

Full-backs Aaron Hickey and Andy Robertson are nailed down for starting berths, but there's been much discourse as to who will start in the centre of defence.

It's often joked about how much Clarke trusts Grant Hanley, but once again the Hibernian 34-year-old didn't put a foot wrong. Of course, the calibre of opposition must be taken into account, but it wouldn't be the first time Scotland allowed a so-called lesser nation a few nibbles at goal.

Alongside the man who gets Liam Kelly to shave his back - still not got that image out of mind - was the impressive Jack Hendry.

Arguably the most accustomed to the sweltering conditions stateside due to playing in Saudi Arabia for the last three years, the Al Ettifaq defender commanded the backline, balled orders forward and kept - an albeit meek - Bolivia at bay.

John Souttar and Scott McKenna started against Curacao, the latter getting caught under the ball for Tahith Chong's brilliant goal.

Hanley appears to be guaranteed a goer in Boston, but who will be his buddy? It looks like Hendry has a hold of it.

It's a section on defence that hasn't even mentioned Kieran Tierney. Remember when all we talked about was getting the Celtic man and Robertson in the same team? Changed days.

To think that four-goal first-half performance didn't even involve John McGinn.

A traditional 4-4-2 brought the best out of Scott McTominay, if that's even more possible. Although we all know the Napoli star's position was never in any doubt.

Bologna's Lewis Ferguson, who captain Robertson said "turned into a man" , externalduring the qualification campaign, again showed his maturity and ability to dictate play in the middle of the park. Cultured, some might say.

But, in truth, the first half was dominated by the work done down the wings by Bournemouth pair Ben Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie.

Long before he was even in the squad, Gannon-Doak excited supporters. He was the Billy Gilmour of the Euro 2024 team, picking up an injury before the squad jetted off to Germany.

Since then, he's reminded everyone what they missed with his absence. The epitome of a Duracell Bunny, the 20-year-old dazzled on Saturday.

At times, his end-product has been his downfall, but it wasn't of concern stateside.

"Ben did himself the power of good today," Clarke acknowledged. "We know what he can give us."

Clarke also knows what Christie can provide. In many positions. He was lively down the left, with an instinct to cut in and create.

Many were crying out for Findlay Curtis to start, given his first international goal last weekend, but its hard to make a case for Christie not starting somewhere on Sunday.

It's perhaps the biggest head-scratcher of them all for Clarke, but what a problem to have.

It's a question that seems as old as time. Will Lawrence Shankland start for Scotland against Haiti?

The striker just signed by Rangers can't have done any more, adding to his two goals against Curacao with the opener in an outstanding first 45 minutes against the Bolivians.

He should've had another in the second half, missing the target from close range with his last act, but his good work before it - and for much of his superb Hearts season - has surely got his name on the teamsheet.

Humble as ever, the 30-year-old didn't blow his own trumpet and dodged the suggestion he should be starting, simply replying: "I can be pleased with my work for the two games."

That he can. So too partner Che Adams, who staked his claim to be in from the off. Outside his two goals, the Torino forward combined well with Shankland, despite their lack of minutes together.

Both paid the other praise post-match, reflecting Clarke's view that "the two strikers complemented each other well".

Lyndon Dykes was Shankland's pal for just under 30 minutes against Curacao, but it was enough for many to make their claim that this was the duo to go with. Now, it's up for debate again.

A pile of decisions for Clarke to ponder at the squad's base camp in Charlotte, but what a position to be in.