Shankland & Gilmour to start? Scotland Q&A with Neil McCann

Scotland's second match of Euro 2024 against Switzerland is approaching and we gave supporters the opportunity to ask former winger Neil McCann his thoughts on how Steve Clarke's side should shape up on Tuesday in Cologne.

Here's a selection of responses from the Q&A session...

Fraser: Would you consider Kenny McLean at centre-back given he has been playing there for Norwich? He appears far better on the ball than the others we have there.

“No, straight no. The three centre-backs I would go with is Jack Hendry on the right, Grant Hanley in the middle and Kieran Tierney on the left.”

Brian: For the Switzerland game, do you think Gilmour and Shankland will play? I think they should to be given a chance but also that we need creative and tenacious players like Gilmour and an out and out goalscorer like Shankland to be there, to give us a chance of the win.

“I would play both. I understand Gilmour missing out against Germany in favour of Christie. I actually chose that myself, but I think we missed his bravery to get on the ball. His willingness and composure to stay on the ball under pressure is something we’ll need to allow John McGinn and Scott McTominay to get in contact with Shankland. I feel a bit for Che Adams because of how tough the Germany game was, no support and no service, but I would start with Shankland up top.”

Scott: Do you think Friday night’s performance (or lack of) reminded us of the dark days of Bertie Vogts and it was nowhere near a representation of just how far we have advanced? How does the manager pick the players up after that and would dropping John McGinn be a good idea?

“No, nowhere near the dark days. The performance was very poor, individually and collectively. Although the run of results that we’ve been on is very poor, I still believe we can recapture the form which saw us storm the group and qualify.

“The problem is we’re missing two big players in Lyndon Dykes and Aaron Hickey and I don’t think we’re a nation that can afford to miss two important players and it not have an impact. Dropping John McGinn is not a move I would entertain at the moment.”

Anon: Is it not time to be bold and start Tommy Conway up front? Looked a breath of fresh air when he came on against Finland. He’s quick and with his strength could play the Dykes role well.

“He’s not as physical as Dykes, no-one we have can play that Dykes role as well. Conway has done well for his club this season, but I don’t think he’s ready for a starting position.”

Andy: We clearly got our distances wrong on Friday night. Adams isolated and you could drive a bus between the midfield and defence. Would you tweak the system or is it horses for courses?

“I wouldn’t tweak the system. We we’re virtually a 5-4-1 out of possession but you're right, the biggest problem for me was the area around the centre-backs which Ilkay Gundogan kept on finding.

Sally: Would you agree that as a small nation just getting to the Euros is a major achievement? We have to be realistic and recognise we do not have sufficient quality players to make an impact. Would it not be better to take 22 of Scotland's best young players and keep them together?

“The players who got us here deserve to be here. I think we’re all honest enough to believe we’re not going to win it. I remember Wales doing really well one year, they had a World class player in Gareth Bale, which maybe we don’t have, but the group of players is good enough to progress for the first time in our history. I don’t believe bringing a group of young players over here to get absolutely battered is good for anyone.”

Jake: Neil, what are your thoughts on Grant Hanley? Is he up to international standards or could we see him struggle like Porteous on Friday if he starts?

“I would have started Grant Hanley. He’s maybe not got enough minutes under his belt, which is why he didn’t start, but I would start him.”

Anon: Do you think we should change goalkeepers? Not saying it was Angus Gunn's fault but letting five goals in ain't good for confidence.

“It’s not good for the confidence. I would probably put a big portion of blame on Angus for the first, third and fifth goals. That being said, there weren’t many pass marks in the team.

“I think it would be unfair, we’re already going to change one of the back five, there’s an argument we may change the right side too, so I would keep the goalkeeper.”

Neil: Scotland seemed to give Kroos and Rudiger all the time in the world to pick their passes. Surely we should've man-marked Kroos and pressed Rudiger quicker and more aggressively. Why do you think Steve Clarke abandoned his pressing game for Germany of all teams?

“You can’t press and keep a high line. If you go and press aggressively and don’t get it right, you get absolutely hammered. We always felt they were going to sit deep, it didn’t work.

“The problem is Germany played with a back four, which almost became a back two, and when Kroos dropped in it meant their spare man was always in through the middle. I don’t think we were ever equipped to go and press them like that.”

Kev: Do you think one of those talented central midfielders that we have needs to step up and be a creative force? They are all good footballers but they are also all similar, they would all rather play those short 10-yard easy passes. We need them to start trying to play the defence-splitting pass and not fear giving away possession.

“I’m actually not sure that McTominay, McGinn or McGregor are that type of player. I would play McTominay and McGinn ahead of Gilmour and McGregor in almost a box formation and just unleash them, let them run beyond, that’s their strength.”

Ian: Neil, in 1999 you and Davie Hopkin were the last two players from Inverclyde to play at the same time in a competitive match for Scotland. With Greg Taylor and Lewis Morgan in the squad, will both be on the pitch at the same time in either of the next two games?

“I don’t know whether someone can take me and big Hoppy’s mantle. Morgan is a late introduction into the squad, against Finland he played off the left and looked aggressive. Both he and James Forrest can provide us with some width. Whether we’ll see Lewis and Greg, as he’s up against Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney, I don’t know.”