Scotland Men's Football Team

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke told BBC Scotland: "Disappointed to lose again. Like always with friendlies, some things were good, some things bad.

"I thought we started the game really well. We got caught on the counter attack. We didn't react well to losing the goal. First half became a bit of a struggle.

"Second half, I thought we were excellent, we dominated the ball and asked them to defend. To be fair to Ivory Coast they defended very well.

"Sometimes you're hoping the ball will fall for you and it didn't fall for us tonight, but you have to make it fall for you. That's the little bit we need to get better at."

On his final squad selection, Clarke adds: "Still plenty of things can happen. I won't get too carried away. Going into previous tournaments I've lost players to injury."

And on his own future, Clarke says: "Most important thing is to get ready for the World Cup. My future can take care of itself whenever it does."

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Scotland captain Andy Robertson told BBC Scotland: "We changed the system and made nine changes. The manager is trying both systems.

"We caused them problems - last 20 minutes we were the team pushing forward. It's one of those games.

"We want to win these games, but we're also trying stuff. We get caught on the counter for the goal, which can't really happen.

"It's up to us now to go back to our clubs and be really excited for the summer."

Scotland striker George Hirst told BBC Scotland: "It was a tough game. We started on the front foot and were causing them issues, but we committed too many bodies forward and we got caught.

"We were a little bit sloppy at times, but second half we came out with a great mentality and got after them.

"All I can do is go out whenever I get an opportunity and play as well as I can. If I can keep doing that and doing it for Ipswich, it will stand me in good stead.

"I'm getting in the positions and on another day I would have come off with a couple of goals. Hopefully they start going in."

Much-changed Scotland ended their pre-World Cup camp by succumbing to a second successive friendly defeat against Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Have your say on the game here.

Read our match report here.

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John McGinn said it's "impossible not to regret" Scotland's showing at the past two major tournaments they qualified for but insists this summer's World Cup is an opportunity to prove themselves on the biggest stage.

Steve Clarke's side didn't win a game in Euro 2020 or Euro 2024 amid disappointing showings after promising qualification campaigns.

Aston Villa captain McGinn, who has 84 caps for his country, said he and his team-mates would be "lying" if they said their appearances at such tournaments were among the best moments in their international career.

"For us the priority is improving a lot on our last two major tournament performances and results," the 31-year-old said before the Scots' friendly against Ivory Coast on Tuesday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

"It's impossible not to regret them. You'd be lying if you sat there and said, 'aw, I enjoyed that or that I done myself justice'.

"I enjoyed the journey of getting there, but it's impossible to actually sit back and say those there the greatest moments we had in a Scotland jersey.

"There were small parts of it, the national anthem in Cologne is something I'll never, ever forget but the games we never done ourselves justice and we know we have a lot more to offer than that.

"We have another opportunity in the summer because we earned the right to be there by winning the group. We know we have the capability and potential to compete with the best nations, now we just need to show it."

Should he be selected and stay fit for this summer's tournament, McGinn will be chasing down a century of Scotland caps - something he admits is hard not to consider.

"When you start getting close to 100 you have your eye on it, you'd be lying if you said otherwise," he added.

"But the priority for both me and Robbo [Andy Robertson, who has 91 caps], we spoke about it last week, is to try and get this country through the group stage and achieve something special.

"So, if that meant that was my last three or four caps for my country that would make me much happier than making 20-odd more with poor results.

"We're determined to keep carrying on, I've said before I'll play until I'm told I'm not good enough, because I know what it feels like to be at the lower levels and play your way up."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Liverpool

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Head coach Steve Clarke has been addressing the media at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool before his Scotland side face Ivory Coast in Tuesday's friendly.

Here are the key lines:

• "A big, difficult challenge" awaits against Ivory Coast, who are "strong, direct, quick, good in attack and defence and were very clinical against South Korea," said Clarke, who reiterated that his players don't like him for picking difficult opponents.

• "No injuries is the ultimate priority," adds Clarke, "then performance, then result," insisting "we [players and staff] all think the same."

• On the subject of building "momentum", Clarke thinks it is a "buzzword" that is growing in football: "I don't know if momentum is good, bad or indifferent... I'll tell you in the summer."

• On perhaps taking "easier" friendlies to boost morale and Scotland's poor friendly record, he said: "I'm more interested in our record in competitive games and tournament record."

• Clarke is "fine" with expectations of his squad growing - in response to the reaction and booing after Saturday's defeat to Japan - adding: "The more you do, the more people expect of you, but I'd rather that than people not be bothered. If that level of expectation rises, that's fine - we can handle it."

• On his squad for the World Cup, Clarke confirmed it is a Fifa requirement to name 55 players for his provisional squad and he will "find them" before whittling them down to 26.

• On returning to the city of Liverpool, he said he had "a great time in a great city where I loved working with Kenny [Dalglish]."

Steve Clarke will select Craig Gordon as his first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup if the injured 43-year-old recovers in time for the summer, says former Scotland international Cammy Bell.

The Hearts man has played just three times this season, finding himself down the pecking order at Tynecastle amid a campaign plagued by fitness problems.

The veteran goalkeeper produced one of the saves of the season in the Scottish Premiership leaders' vital victory at Dundee in January, but he has featured just twice since.

Angus Gunn, who is also struggling for minutes at club level, was restored to Clarke's line-up for Scotland's friendly defeat to Japan on Saturday.

However, former Hearts player Bell believes Gordon will get the gloves if he can return from a shoulder issue by the time the Scots jet off to the US in June.

"If Craig Gordon's fit for the World Cup, I think Craig Gordon will play," Bell said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Yes, it would be ideal if Craig can get a few games under his belt before then, but if that doesn't happen, I really don't think that affects Steve's decision too much.

"He handles the pressure games really well. He's still a top, top goalkeeper. I think it's also that experience he's got as well.

"But it's good to have Angus Gunn playing. He did well on Saturday again - some decent saves and everything that was asked of him he did very tidily. He looked very confident within the game as well.

"We would expect him to play again on Tuesday night. I think if we can get as much game time as possible into Gunn before the World Cup, it sets us up in a better place to have Angus and Craig there to fight it out."

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Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has warned his players to expect a stiffer test from Scotland on Tuesday and said "we are not getting carried away" by Saturday's 4-0 defeat of South Korea.

Goals from Evann Guessand, Simon Adingra, Martial Godo and Wilfried Singo secured a comfortable victory at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes - their first outing since their Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended in quarter-final disappointment.

Fae, who has been under pressure despite his side topping their group before losing to Egypt, said: "I believe Scotland are at a higher level than South Korea and it will be a very big test for us. They are a strong team.

"We are going into the game in a good place after scoring four very good goals. We didn't concede either - that's important for confidence.

"We also showed that we are capable of winning and playing good matches against teams that have World Cup experience, so it's encouraging for the future."

However, the scoreline perhaps flattered Ivory Coast, with Fae admitting South Korea caused his side "some problems".

Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu had already fired against a post before Crystal Palace forward Guessand poked home the opener from six yards.

Seol Young-woo also shot against a post before Monaco winger Adingra fired the second from 15 yards in first-half stoppage time.

Oh was denied by goalkeeper Yahia Fofana before Strasbourg winger Godo, in his senior bow after switching allegiance from England, pounced on Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun's poor header to stab in the third after his first effort was blocked by goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-Woo.

Lee Kang-in also found a post before Galatasaray defender Singo side-footed home from 15 yards to complete the scored in stoppage time.

"We are not getting carried away with this win and it is important for the team to keep working hard, even after scoring four goals and keeping a clean sheet," Fae added.

He was particularly pleased with the victory considering he had given "other players a chance to prove themselves" as he looks to narrow down his squad for the World Cup finals.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, the former Rangers loanee, came on as a second-half substitute and provided the assist for the fourth goal.

Fae said he knew his strikers were in good form and was pleased that three were among the scorers.

Tyler Fletcher, who could make his Scotland Under-21 debut against Portugal on Tuesday, says there is no chance he will follow twin brother Jack's decision to pledge his future to England and the 19-year-old Manchester United midfielder has targeted surpassing father Darren's 80 caps for Scotland. (Scottish Sun), external

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay is not talking to Saudi Pro League clubs as the 29-year-old's focus remains in Italy with Napoli. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

We asked for your thoughts after Scotland fell to a narrow friendly defeat by Japan at Hampden on Saturday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Brian: The team reverted to the old way of trying to not lose rather than trying to win. Yes Japan are higher in the rankings but we seemed to try not playing with the same style that we showed against Denmark. We are a much better team when we try to play skilful football. Too often we played square or backwards, it was if we were scared to show how good we can be. We need to show that we have good players who are not afraid to try being positive.

Graham: You've got to ask why Lyndon Dykes is first choice striker? Four goals for Charlton Athletic, yet Oli McBurnie has 14 and numerous assists for Hull and can't even get in the squad, is it personal? Also Kyle Joseph has eight goals in the same team, yet not picked.

Iain: A wake-up call for this squad. Outplayed by Japan who could have scored three or four goals if they had been more clinical. You wonder where the goals are going to come from as there is no real quality in the forward areas.

Ian: Fans booing should wind their necks in. Japan are a good team, very tidy in and out of possession. Steve Clarke was experimenting. That is unlikely to be his starting 11 in Boston and he needs space to tinker. Bring on the Ivory Coast.

George: Dismal performance. One paced and absolutely zero movement going forward. We seem totally unable to move the ball quickly. Pedestrian at best.

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Jack Hendry believes being "tested every week out in Saudi Arabia against top strikers" will stand him in "good stead" as he aims to cement his place in Scotland's squad - and starting XI - at the World Cup finals.

The 30-year-old centre-half joined Al-Ettifaq, who sit seventh in the Saudi Pro League, from Club Brugge in 2023.

And he earned his 35th cap as he started Saturday's 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan at Hampden.

"There's a lot of football to be played before the World Cup, so you can't think too much of the future," Hendry said.

"But every minute you are on the pitch, you are trying to impress the manager to get into that World Cup squad and team.

"There's competition all over the pitch. We've got a real good pool of players.

"But I get tested every week out in Saudi Arabia against top strikers. That will put me in good stead.

"If you look at the pool of players out in Saudi Arabia, there are top international players and it can only help me when I come up against them internationally.

"If you look throughout the league, there's a lot of players who will be going to the World Cup."

Hendry thought facing a Japan side who are "ranked 18th in the world and have had one defeat in their last 10" was "a very good test for us", although he was disappointed with the defeat.

He thought playing Ivory Coast in Liverpool on Tuesday would be another "learning curve" against another country with a different style and "good players".

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Lyndon Dykes believes he has achieved his goal of enhancing his World Cup chances and improving Charlton Athletic as a team after signing from Championship rivals Birmingham City in January.

The London side might have only moved up one place - to 18th - since the Scotland striker arrived, but they have won five of their 14 games since, compared to two of the previous 14.

"Really enjoying my time there," the 30-year-old, who has scored twice in 13 games for his new club, said. "The main aim was getting game time and minutes, feeling good and making Charlton a better team hopefully and I think I've done that so far.

"We've got to finish the season strong, I am there until the summer and then we'll see what happens."

Dykes earned his 49th cap by starting Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Japan but is not taking his seat on the plane to the Americas for granted.

"You have to make sure you finish strong and finish fit and hopefully performing as well," he said.

Dykes recognises "there are things we can do a little bit better" when the Scots face Ivory Coast in Liverpool on Tuesday.

"We conceded a sloppy goal, but these are games that we can learn from going into the World Cup," he added.

"We don't want to be losing games, but the manager is trying new things out, he's got a bigger squad and I'm sure he'll use a lot of the squad for the next game.

"It is another test and another team we haven't played before and it is going to cause us more challenges."

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Tommy Conway believes "there's no-one better in football to have behind you" than Andy Robertson as he tries to cement his place on the left side of Scotland's attack for this summer's World Cup finals.

The Middlesbrough striker realises he is one of those in the current squad who are in the position of "not knowing if we are going to go" to the Americas and face a "massive couple of months" to prove themselves to head coach Steve Clarke.

But he believes he "made an impact" as he made his first Scotland start despite the 1-0 defeat in Saturday's friendly at home to Japan.

"I really enjoyed it out there," 23-year-old Conway said. "I felt like it took me a while to get into the game, but once we got to grips with it, I naturally got into the game.

"We were unfortunate to lose the game, but we'll take the positives from it and go on Tuesday.

"Obviously it's been a while since I played for Scotland, but I like to think I took into the game what we've been working on in training.

"It wasn't too dissimilar to what I'm doing at club level. That's more or less where I've been playing - off the left and trying to come in and make things happen."

Conway said captain Andy Robertson, the Liverpool left-back, was "talking me through the game".

"There's no-one better in football to have behind you," he said. "Hopefully it is a combination on which we can build.

"When you are not having an impact in possession, you've got to have an impact out of possession and I feel like me and Robbo did that in the first half.

"In the second half, I thought our press was a lot better and allowed us to get up the pitch and in someone's face and that is a strength of mine."

Conway thought Saturday's match against Japan, and Tuesday's against Ivory Coast, would be good preparation for facing "players from three different continents" at the World Cup.

"Some of it I feel I have ever come across before, in terms of what they pose physically - they are sharp and they are fast and tactically they are good as well," he added of Japan.