Who were Scotland's winners and losers from international break?
Scotland's friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast were late opportunities Steve Clarke had to assess fringe members of his squad before naming his pool for this summer's World Cup. However, relatively few players in salmon or navy blue shone as Steve Clarke's side succumbed to successive 1-0 defeats. The likes of Napoli star Scott McTominay, captain Andy Robertson and Aston Villa's John McGinn are shoo-ins, but there will be spots still up for grabs before the tournament opener against Haiti on 14 June.
With one more friendly on these shores - against Curacao in May - who exactly were the winners and losers from this international break? Ivory Coast inflict Scotland's second consecutive friendly defeat Are Scotland really going to name 55 players in World Cup squad? How Scotland found their base camp for 'travelling' World Cup Clarke played two different defensive shapes in the two games - Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna were the centre-backs in a four against Japan, before Dominic Hyam and John Souttar joined Kieran Tierney in a back three against Ivory Coast.
Although Japan had the better of proceedings at Hampden, Hendry and McKenna dealt with balls into the box, while the pace they both possess is a valuable commodity in international football. Souttar made one important block against the Ivorians, while Hyam was quiet without making any errors on his first Scotland start. Ross McCrorie did nothing wrong at right wing-back against Ivory Coast, whereas Nathan Patterson looked rusty at right-back in his start against Japan.
Celtic's Anthony Ralston got a few minutes late on against Japan, but is fourth choice when everyone in his position is fit at Parkhead. Clarke favourite Grant Hanley, meanwhile, did not get on the pitch in either game. What does that say about his status?
The other interesting defensive selection came in goal against the Ivorians With first-choice Angus Gunn having taken the gloves against Japan, Rangers' Liam Kelly and Falkirk's Scott Bain each played 45 minutes in Liverpool. While Kelly dawdled for the decisive goal, Bain made a superb save late on to deny Manchester United's Amad Diallo. With Craig Gordon expected to join Gunn in the US - assuming he is fit - might Bain jump ahead of Kelly as the third goalkeeper?