Hibs defender Grant Hanley could be Scotland's World Cup saviour - the case for starting enigma v Haiti

It’s a sign of football’s near-infinite capacity for opinions that, among Hibs supporters, there are still some who wouldn’t put Grant Hanley in their first-choice starting XI. Swap the green-and-white for the dark blue of the national team, on the other hand …

As Steve Clarke’s Scotland prepare for the country’s first World Cup game in 28 years, Easter Road enigma Hanley – not always a starter under David Gray, and hardly an established fan favourite – certainly appears to have timed his run to perfection. And the case for Clarke sticking with the 34-year-old centre-half is one that can be made with increasing confidence.

With ex-pros and pundits lining up to praise everyone involved in Saturday night’s final pre-tournament warm-up win over Bolivia, which saw Hanley partner Jack Hendry in a dominant central defensive pairing, the big man – the only Hibs player competing at the finals – arguably has a starting spot within his grasp. Deservedly so.

Horses for courses

Getting caught under a high ball in the swirling wind at Pittodrie or dealing with the, erm, variable bounce of the plastic pitch at Falkirk … those aren’t exactly ideal metrics by which to judge a player’s ability to cope with Wilson Isidor’s running from deep on a summer’s evening in Boston. Trying to judge Hanley’s suitability for this challenge by looking only at his performances for Hibs is like comparing apples with bowling balls.

Playing in a back four as opposed to a back three, and not holding nearly as high a line as Hibs, the Scotland gig represents an entirely different sort of footballing problem. And it’s one that Hanley has shown a proven ability to solve.

Go back to that glorious night at Hampden in November and, while everyone remembers the stunning goals and earthquake-inducing celebrations as Denmark were defeated 4-2 and qualification was secured, it’s important to recall just how important Hanley was to that huge, huge result in the history of Scottish football. He made 15 defensive contributions over the 90 minutes, topping the stats for clearances, headed clearances and interceptions.

A proven ability to compete under pressure goes a long way, surely, when Clarke sits down to make the toughest decisions. If the national team gaffer’s process adds any weight to experience, Hanley is a shoo-in.

What the experts say

There’s still a lot of love for John Souttar. Scott McKenna being left-footed gives him an advantage over Hanley, Hendry and Dominic Hyam. Assuming Clarke sticks with the 4-4-2 that worked so well in the weekend thrashing of Bolivia, however, Hanley must fancy his chances.

Tartan Army legend James McFadden doesn’t believe the starting XI against Haiti will show many surprises, arguing: “How they performed against Bolivia, I think it will be as close to that team.

“It’s the right idea that McKenna would come in for the balance. I felt it was going to be Scott McKenna and another, probably Grant Hanley, against Hanley.

“But I thought Hendry and Hanley looked really good together in a partnership. So Steve Clarke might have thought it would be McKenna and Hanley or Hendry.

“And now he’s got a decision, because actually that partnership worked pretty well together. Do I stick with that?

“Relationships in the team are so important. It’s a great problem to have.”

Former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson, meanwhile, told BBC Sport Scotland that this was too tight a call to make just yet, admitting: “With centre-half, the decision is tough. I’d like to see John Souttar play, to be honest with you, just because of his distribution.

“Because I think we’ll have a lot of ball within the game. I think there will be times when he can play balls through, find Ben Gannon-Doak as well. So I think he’ll definitely start.

“The other one is a tough one, definitely. Maybe Hanley with his physicality and aggression. But I couldn’t pick that one, to be honest with you.”

Hibs deserve credit

Hanley has openly talked about the role Hibs played in getting him to this stage. At several stages over the course of his first season at Easter Road, the veteran has spoken about the need be getting semi-regular game time, yes, but also to face weekly challenges against high-level opponents.

He has not, it must be said, been note perfect since signing back in August. Two red cards and one particularly brutal performance at Falkirk stand out, obviously.

Even though he’s battled for game time with Rocky Bushiri, though, Hanley has contributed, starting in the home derby win over Hearts and the away victory over Rangers, to name just a couple of examples. He’s done enough. And now he’s in line for his reward.