Scotland's eight World Cup strikers: Steve Clarke's attacking options as he shapes his squad
Japan and Ivory Coast friendlies to come at the end of the month
The first Scotland squad of 2026 will be announced next week, providing a clear indication of Steve Clarke’s thinking ahead of the summer. Friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast offer chances to experiment, but Clarke won’t rip up a largely settled squad this close to the country’s first World Cup since 1998. There are debates to be had in various positions, though, and none more so than in attack.
Scoring goals is a perennial problem for the national team which taxed many of Clarke’s predecessors in previous decades. Scotland have never been considered prolific goalscorers at international level. A World Cup would be the perfect platform to address such an issue. Games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in June will be definitive for a generation of Tartan Army fans who have never seen the team perform at that level.
Everyone has seen footage of forwards like Mo Johnston, Joe Jordan and Kenny Dalglish hitting the net on the biggest stage. Those were the days when dark blue Umbro shirts were a staple of any World Cup. Now, three decades on from France 98, Scotland are back among the international elite. And once again they could use a regular net-bulger up front.
Below are eight forwards Clarke can choose from as realistic options for Scotland’s 26-man World Cup squad:
LYNDON DYKES
A cert to be on the plane in June. Dykes is an automatic choice for Clarke’s squad, offering height, physical presence, hold-up play and a decent scoring record for Scotland of 10 goals in 48 caps. Has only scored four times in 34 club games so far this season - two for current team Charlton Athletic, and two for previous employers Birmingham City. At 30, this World Cup is likely to be the peak of his career.
CHÉ ADAMS
Another guaranteed to be in USA this summer. The Torino forward, 29, has scored 11 times in 45 Scotland appearances. He is a regular starter under Clarke but is also fairly low on goals for his club this term, with six in 28 outings. Like Dykes, Adams can perform a lone striker’s role for Scotland and is also effective when the two are paired together. He is the striker with most experience who is playing at the highest level heading into the World Cup.
LAWRENCE SHANKLAND
The Hearts captain scored a memorable goal in November’s historic 4-2 win over Denmark which clinched Scotland’s World Cup place. That was his fourth strike in his 18th cap. Shankland is unlikely to be fit in time for this month’s friendlies having been sidelined since January with a hamstring injury, but he is a strong bet to go to the World Cup. With 16 goals in 26 games for the Edinburgh club so far this season, the 30-year-old has been in rich form.
GEORGE HIRST
Nine goals in 34 games for English Championship side Ipswich this term denote Hirst as a probable for Clarke’s final squad. The 27-year-old only switched his international allegiance from England to Scotland 12 months ago. He is a squad regular with six caps and one goal to his name. He played from the start in last year’s friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein, scoring against the latter.
TOMMY CONWAY
The Middlesbrough attacker is still only 23 with six Scotland caps on his CV, although he hasn’t been called up by Clarke since last June. He is in good form with five goals in his last nine games in England, but only eight from 38 appearances overall this season. Seems to have fallen out of the picture a little. Could be a back-up option if Shankland is not fit enough this month.
KIERON BOWIE
The former Hibs striker scored his first goal in Italy at the weekend for new club Hellas Verona. That was his 10th strike in 35 outings for Hibs and Verona combined this term. He has two Scotland caps and bags of potential for the future at the age of 23. Probably has no more than a 50/50 chance of going to the World Cup.
KEVIN NISBET
An outside bet but nonetheless an in-form Scottish striker. Nisbet has scored six times in his last nine outings for a struggling Aberdeen team in the Scottish Premiership. He last featured in an international squad a year ago in the Nations League play-off against Greece. He has 11 caps and one goal for his country.
ROSS STEWART
Could be a genuine dark horse. Clarke must decide whether to take four forwards or five to the World Cup and, if it’s five, Stewart may be in contention. The 29-year-old has found the net six times in his last 13 matches for Southampton in the English Championship. He holds two Scotland caps from 2022 so Clarke clearly sees his quality. Injuries hindered him in the intervening period but he is now fit and scoring for Saints.