Are Scotland really going to name 55 players in World Cup squad?
Steve Clarke has disclosed he must submit a provisional 55-man Scotland squad for the World Cup. But what does that actually mean?
Steve Clarke delivered the news almost as an aside. In his media conference before the friendly with Ivory Coast in Liverpool, the Scotland head coach disclosed that Fifa demand that he submits a provisional 55 names for his World Cup squad this summer. The 62-year-old even mused that he might even need to include himself to make up the numbers and summon long-retired coach Steven Naismith for a potential 52nd national team appearance.
"It's a Fifa requirement that you put in a squad, I think it's about 55 names," Clarke said. "And I'm definitely No. 55...
But I'll find 55, for sure. "Your 26 will come from that group and there can be late additions too. But hopefully I don't forget anybody.
We'll work on it. " But before players around the country start scrabbling to check their passport is in date before the May 11 deadline, lets scratch below the surface of what Clarke said. Is he really going to announce the names of 55 Scottish-qualified footballers, before then breaking the hearts of 29 of them three weeks later?