Bolivia 0-4 Scotland: What Clarke saidpublished at 23:41 BST 6 June
23:41 BST 6 June
Image source, PA Media
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke tells BBC Scotland: "For once I got everything I asked for - no injuries, a performance and a good result.
"We spoke a lot this week about being more clinical, and yeah, nice.
"Front two were good. To be fair, the whole team were good first half. The two strikers complemented each other well.
"As we get to this stage, we're as well prepared as we can be. Next week is a different ball game - it's the World Cup, Haiti are a really good side. They beat NZ 4-0; England only managed to beat them 1-0 today.
"We understand the type of game we're going to get against Haiti, it's up to us to put on a performance and play the way we need to play to get the result."
[Do you know your starting team for Haiti?]: "No. I've got some decisions to make. The starting XI becomes a fixation, but this is a tournament for your finishing XI.
"It's going to be great. We've waited a long time for this. The only thing I keep reminding myself is try to enjoy the moments."
Scotland goalscorer Lawrence Shankland tells BBC Scotland: "Good performance from everybody, important to get a win going into the tournament in our last game before the real stuff starts
"A lot of good defensive stuff as well, and getting used to the conditions too and with a good performance, we can be pleased.
"Today was our [alongside Che Adams] first time together from the start, and it worked well at times, both on the score sheet with Che getting a double, so we can be pleased.
"All you can do when you get the opoortunity is put your best foot forward and give the manager a decision to make when he's picking his team.
"We've got a really good group, a lot of togetherness in there, no matter who is picked, we will all be ready."
Bolivia 0-4 Scotland: Have your saypublished at 23:31 BST 6 June
23:31 BST 6 June
Scotland sent out a statement before their first men's World Cup in 28 years with a scarcely-believable final friendly victory against Bolivia at a sweltering Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey.
Forward Lawrence Shankland, 30, wanted a quick move from Hearts to Rangers so he would not be distracted while at the World Cup with Scotland. (Herald - subscription required), external
Ferguson devastated for Gilmour after own finals heartachepublished at 08:43 BST 6 June
08:43 BST 6 June
Jane Lewis BBC Sport Scotland in New Jersey
Media caption,
Ferguson on Billy Gilmour's World Cup disappointment
Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson says he's "devastated" and "gutted" for close friend and international team-mate Billy Gilmour after a knee injury ruled the Napoli midfielder out of the World Cup finals.
Gilmour sustained the injury during Scotland's friendly win against Curacao last Saturday, with a scan later ruling him out of the tournament.
The Bologna captain missed Euro 2024 in Germany through a knee injury, so knows the emotions Gilmour is experiencing.
"I've known him for such a long time and we've watched each other grow and progress," Ferguson said, speaking before the national team's final warm-up match against Bolivia. "It was nice that we were preparing for a World Cup together.
"Once he got his results back, we just sort of left him alone because I think you need a bit of time to process it. It's a difficult one to take.
"I gave him a text the next morning and said that I'd been through similar. But yeah, just gutted for him because this was such a big opportunity."
Clarke on big decisions, 'cotton wool' treatment & Haiti warningpublished at 01:17 BST 6 June
01:17 BST 6 June
Amy Canavan BBC Sport Scotland at Sports Illustrated Stadium
Media caption,
Clarke shuts down talk of cotton wool treatment before Bolivia
Steve Clarke addressed the media before Scotland‘s final pre-World Cup friendly against Bolivia on Saturday in New Jersey.
Here are the key things the head coach said:
His priorities against Bolivia are “no injuries, performance and then result” as the head coach hopes to not lose any more players after Billy Gilmour’s injury in last weekend’s win against Curacao.
He says it is “a straightforward selection“ on Saturday as it’s about “preparation not protection“. “
"We can’t wrap players in cotton wool," he added. "You need to work. Injuries are part and parcel of football."
Clarke said he still has “16 decisions” to make for Scotland‘s tournament opener against Haiti next Sunday.
He added some fans have “a terrible habit of thinking these nations are not very good” but pointed to their thumping win over New Zealand on Tuesday as proof they‘re a “good, physical, technical” team.
There are no “major” concerns, just a few players with “little grumbling things”.
McFadden expects attacking focus against Boliviapublished at 22:55 BST 5 June
22:55 BST 5 June
Jane Lewis BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Former Scotland striker James McFadden expects Steve Clarke to take an attacking approach during tomorrow's final World Cup warm-up match against Bolivia.
Clarke's side beat Curacao 4-1 at Hampden last weekend and now have one game on American soil before they take on Haiti in their Group C opener at Boston Stadium on 13 June.
"I think more of a focus on attacking, obviously making sure that you're solid defensively, but hopefully we get to see some of the young players again," McFadden told BBC Scotland.
"Findlay Curtis came on and did really well [against Curacao], scored a goal. Lawrence Shankland as well, so I think we will see more of an attack-minded focus on the game because we have to go and drive it that way."
McFadden isn't necessarily expecting Clarke to start a full-strength team against Haiti, but he believes some players who missed out against Curacao will return to the fold.
"Certainly you're looking at John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson - the guys that missed out - to get some game time," he said.
"I know it's been a long season for them but I would expect to see them.
"I think that he's certainly got a few things to think about, Steve Clarke, in terms of his team selection but I do think we're in a good place."
Big Apple has big World Cup feverpublished at 17:08 BST 5 June
17:08 BST 5 June
Amy Canavan BBC Sport Scotland in New York
Alright, this is pretty cool.
We arrived in New York on Thursday for Scotland's final pre-tournament friendly against Bolivia on Saturday in New Jersey and it's safe to say the Big Apple has big World Cup fever.
Adverts and promos are cascading down Times Square, while there is official merchandise on every corner.
Media from all corners of the world were trying to get the perfect shot for their pieces to camera, but they were spoiled for choice of a backdrop.
King Kong was kicking about with a big flag that had wee flags of every competing nation on it, while Mario and Luigi were the only Italians in sight.
Coupla Scots sightseeing, but the ones we spoke to weren't out specifically for the football. That lot will be on their way shortly, though...
Dream Rangers move the perfect World Cup boost for Shanklandpublished at 14:02 BST 5 June
14:02 BST 5 June
Image source, SNS
Lawrence Shankland says completing a "dream" move to Rangers has provided the ideal boost as he looks to sparkle for Scotland at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old striker ended his goal-laden Hearts career by making a surprise switch to Ibrox last week before netting a double in Scotland's 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Hampden.
In a Scottish FA interview in America before Saturday's friendly against Bolivia in New Jersey, Shankland said: "Obviously I finished the season pretty strong, so confidence was already high.
"To join my boyhood club, somewhere that I've always had a dream to play, and to get that opportunity, especially in the later stages of your career, I'm just happy and excited to get that opportunity.
"It can give you that wee boost and hopefully it does going into these games."
Shankland's transfer had to be hastily concluded before he joined up with the Scotland camp last week.
"Obviously, I was due to meet up with Scotland on the Tuesday but I had to delay to the Wednesday for my medicals and stuff," he said. "I felt like it was pretty important for me to get it done before I came here.
"I think when you come to a World Cup, you want to enjoy that experience. I don't think I wanted anything hanging over my head with my club football so I was quite keen to get things wrapped up.
"Obviously, it was a big decision for me, leaving Hearts. It's a great club. I've got a lot of good times and good memories there. But the opportunity to go and join Rangers is one that I couldn't really turn down.
"As I said, it was just important that I got that sorted before I came here. Then, full focus on the World Cup."
Shankland admitted he has allowed himself to dream of scoring at the World Cup. "I think everybody will," he said. "Everybody will aim to leave their stamp here.
"As a striker, that's what you're judged on so of course I'd love to get on the scoresheet at the World Cup. But as long as the team's winning and I'm playing my part that way, I'd be happy as well."
Shankland revealed a gift from skipper Andy Robertson reaffirmed how big a deal it is to represent Scotland at a World Cup.
"Andy actually left us a wee letter the other night and gave us a couple of wee gifts to say well done for being in the squad, etc," he said.
"The numbers on that, when he put the significance of how many people there are and how little people are in this squad, it was huge. That added to the importance of it."
Scotland's Patterson linked with Blades - gossippublished at 08:31 BST 5 June
08:31 BST 5 June
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Nathan Patterson has won 26 Scotland caps
Sheffield United are looking at a possible move for Everton and Scotland defender Nathan Patterson, 24. (Glasgow Times), external
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke admits Ben Gannon-Doak is "a little bit rusty" while fellow winger Findlay Curtis is "very confident" before Saturday's final World Cup warm-up against Bolivia. (Sun), external
Image source, PA Media
