How Curtis timed run to perfection for World Cup place

Findlay Curtis made his Scotland debut against Japan in March [Getty Images] At the back end of last year, Findlay Curtis was not in Scotland Under-21s' squad for matches against Gibraltar and Bulgaria. Now he is on the plane to the United States for this summer's World Cup. Born on the opening day of the 2006 tournament, he is the youngest member of the Scotland squad that will take on Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Group C.

How has the 19-year-old propelled himself from the fringes at Rangers to the forefront of Steve Clarke's mind in six months? No theatre or Scotland curveballs from loyal Clarke 'Big game scorer' Stewart and Curtis make Scotland World Cup squad Stewart's remarkable rise from Scottish juniors to World Cup World Cup quiz: Name every player in Scotland's squad Perhaps the key moment came in January when Curtis left Ibrox to join struggling Kilmarnock on loan. After some bright performances at the start of the season for his parent club, both in Europe and domestically, he struggled for game-time - in the six league matches before he moved to Ayrshire, Curtis played just 13 minutes.

However, under Neil McCann and Billy Dodds - who had coached him at Rangers the season prior - Curtis was handed a pivotal role. He scored five goals in 14 appearances for the Rugby Park outfit, including four in his final five outings as Kilmarnock escaped relegation. "The staff, players and I are absolutely delighted with this hugely positive news," McCann said.

"We all have an immense sense of pride in Fin earning his spot in Steve's squad off the back of his time with us. "He deserves this recognition for the levels he's shown while on loan here. It's also a feather in the cap of the football club, and highlights what we can do for players at Killie, no matter the stage of their development.