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Steve Clarke has announced his 26-man squad for friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast [SNS] With Scotland heading to the men's World Cup for the first time since 1998, Steve Clarke's squad for March friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast held extra intrigue and significance. Aside from a maiden call-up for teenage Kilmarnock winger Findlay Curtis , there were few shocks, nor major hints as to who may have a chance to break into a core group who have brought success by qualifying for consecutive major finals. Nonetheless there are some interesting takeaways from the 26-man squad as Scotland gear up for the run in to the World Cup finals.

Settled squad but still time for 'outsider' Although, as expected, the squad has a familiar feel to it, Clarke was clear there is still room for players to play their way into the group who will head to the United States in June, when they will take on Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. He said there were four more players who he wanted to have in the squad for the games against Japan and Ivory Coast, but injuries deprived him of that chance. "There are some players I feel I need to have a look at," Clarke explained.

"A lot can change over the next 10 weeks before you pick your final squad. "Hopefully, no significant injuries but it can happen and has happened to us before, so we have to be ready to cover all the bases. "There are a few players who could have been in the squad and are not in the squad - but I know what they can do.

"I've got other players in the squad where I'm maybe not convinced yet about what they can and can't do. So, let's have a look and see what happens. "There is always room for someone else, an outsider.