Scotland boss Steve Clarke discusses World Cup selection decisions, injury concerns and Haiti friendly

Steve Clarke has set out Scotland’s priorities ahead of their final pre-World Cup friendly against Bolivia in New Jersey, saying his main concern is to come through the match without injuries while also delivering a strong performance and a positive result.

Speaking before Saturday’s game, the Scotland head coach said he is hoping not to lose any more players after Billy Gilmour was injured in last weekend’s win over Curacao. Clarke made clear that the focus against Bolivia is on preparation rather than protection, describing the selection as a straightforward one.

“We can’t wrap players in cotton wool,” Clarke said, stressing that footballers need to work and that injuries are simply part of the game. His comments suggest Scotland will use the match as a final competitive step before their World Cup opener, rather than treating it as a cautious warm-up.

Clarke also said he still has 16 decisions to make before Scotland begin their tournament against Haiti next Sunday. The friendly against Bolivia is therefore expected to help him narrow down his plans, sharpen the squad and settle on the best line-up for the opening group match.

The Scotland boss also used his briefing to caution against underestimating Haiti, noting that some supporters have a habit of assuming teams from outside Europe or the traditional football powers are not strong. He pointed to Haiti’s impressive win over New Zealand on Tuesday as evidence that they are a serious opponent.

According to Clarke, Haiti are a “good, physical, technical” side, and Scotland will need to be fully prepared when the tournament begins. His remarks underline the importance of maintaining focus during the final stage of preparation, especially with the squad managing a few minor fitness concerns.

Clarke said there are no major injury worries in the camp, only several players dealing with minor issues described as “little grumbling things.” That will offer some reassurance to Scotland supporters, especially after Gilmour’s setback in the previous match.

With the Bolivia fixture serving as Scotland’s last chance to fine-tune combinations and build momentum, Clarke’s message was clear: avoid further injuries, perform well and finish with a result that carries confidence into next week’s opener.