Scotland are confident that Scott McTominay will be fit to face Haiti on Saturday, despite the midfielder missing Thursday's training session due to a stomach complaint. McTominay, widely regarded as Scotland's most influential player, was absent as Steve Clarke conducted the final training session in North Carolina before the team's departure for Boston, where they will play their first World Cup match in 28 years.
Precautionary absence
Sources within the camp indicate that McTominay did not train as a precaution, rather than due to genuine fears he could miss the match. Nevertheless, an update from Clarke regarding McTominay's condition, and whether any other players have been affected, will be a key part of the manager's pre-match media duties on Friday. McTominay delivered an excellent midfield performance in Scotland's 4-0 victory over Bolivia on Saturday, their final World Cup warm-up match.
"Hopefully that doesn't spread," said fellow midfielder Kenny McLean. "I am sure everybody has fingers crossed that Scott will be fine. Everybody knows what Scott brings. It is quite apparent how big a player he is for us. For all that it has been a team effort to qualify, and always will be a real team effort, we have special players at the core."
McLean added: "He is up on a mural for a reason. He is a true talent, a special player, an amazing guy and an amazing part of the team. He is a big character around the place, but it is a team effort and I'm sure Scott would be the first to say that. He is desperate to play and his preparations have been amazing apart from maybe something he has eaten somewhere along the line."
Defensive concerns
Scotland's centre-back Scott McKenna has had his training minutes managed due to a knock, with Jack Hendry and Grant Hanley the favourites to start against Haiti. "We are fortunate we have looked after ourselves as well as we could and we are as ready as we can be," said McLean. "Minutes were spread out over the couple of friendly games and I think everybody is in great shape. The training has been amazing, intense when it has to be, and we cannot complain about the preparations."
McLean emphasized the competitive spirit within the squad: "It has always been the case that we push each other and help each other and try to get the best out of each other. That has always happened with every position in this squad. The manager picks the squad based on what he is going to get out of everybody and what we are going to get out of each other. Competition for places is strong. Everybody wants the same outcome."
Gilmour joins squad despite injury
Billy Gilmour, who was denied a World Cup berth due to the knee injury sustained in the friendly win over Curaçao, arrived in Boston on Thursday to meet the Scotland squad. Clarke had been keen for Gilmour to be involved despite his heartbreak. "He wants to experience things around the lads," McLean said. "Also around the city with fans, to soak in the atmosphere. He deserves so much more for what he has given, but there is going to be more opportunity. I know it's not what he wants to hear right now, but there will be. What an amazing talent, what an amazing young man, and it will be good to see him."
Gilmour's injury opened the door for Tyler Fletcher, who made his Scotland debut in that Curaçao game but was not originally part of the World Cup contingent. McLean was immediately impressed by the 19-year-old Manchester United player. "I saw the quality he had," McLean said. "I saw the ability, the way he received the ball, the small things. I could see it right away. I hope he takes this experience in, the opportunity he has got. He is doing himself no harm in training, let me tell you that."
