Scotland head coach Steve Clarke had simply completed his enjoying profession with Chelsea when his nation certified for the 1998 World Cup, proving their final look on the finals earlier than the previous defender guided them again to the event by beating Denmark final November.
Clarke has specific purpose to sense the feelgood issue earlier than Scotland’s pre-finals swansong on residence turf at Hampden Park in opposition to Curacao on Saturday, having signed a brand new deal on Thursday to remain in cost till 2030.
“It is going to be good for the followers to present us a send-off,” Clarke informed the Scottish FA. “We need to win. An important factor is not any accidents and minutes for lots of gamers who in all probability have to get minutes of their legs.
“There’ll in all probability be a couple of rotations and modifications all through the sport, however I’ll attempt to utilise many of the squad.”
The third-lowest ranked staff on the finals, Curacao completed forward of Jamaica to win their qualifying group and may have the oldest head coach in World Cup historical past within the vastly skilled Dick Advocaat.
Miami FC’s Jurgen Locadia performed for Advocaat on the striker’s first membership, PSV, earlier than changing into Brighton & Hove Albion’s then-record signing and enjoying for the likes of Hoffenheim and Bochum.
“It’s very particular,” mentioned the 32-year-old, who scored three Premier League objectives, talking to VoetbalPrimeur and including that the prospect of the World Cup finals is “actually beginning to sink in”.
“[Advocaat] will get mad at me usually. We now have a pleasant bond and he is aware of what he will get from me. He can now assist and assist me and the youthful gamers.”
At their first finals, Curacao’s robust group options four-time champions Germany, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Not only a 𝙨𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩…🌎
An entire 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲. 🇨🇼🎬🎶See you on the @fifaworldcup!#TheBlueWave #Curaçao pic.twitter.com/ozNEHFLAE5
— Curaçao Nationwide Soccer Workforce (@TheBlueWaveFFK) May 18, 2026
World Cup 2026 pleasant: Scotland v Curacao staff information
Middlesbrough ahead Tommy Conway will miss the World Cup with an ankle drawback however Southampton striker Ross Stewart may function for Scotland for the primary time since 2022, having suffered a string of significant accidents between his final worldwide look and January this yr.
Clarke is hopeful that 43-year-old Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon will keep match for Scotland’s marketing campaign, which begins with video games in opposition to Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, having returned this month from a long-term shoulder damage.
Alongside Locadia, Curacao’s squad options quite a few gamers who could also be acquainted to followers in Scotland and England.
Captain Leandro Bacuna’s former golf equipment embrace Aston Villa, Studying, Cardiff Metropolis and Watford. Sontje Hansen is a Boro winger, Tahith Chong is a Sheffield United midfielder and Ar’jany Martha is a Rotherham United defender.
Full-back Joshua Brenet performed for Livingston, midfielder Gervane Kastaneer had a mortgage spell with Hearts from former membership Coventry Metropolis and winger Kenji Gorre was a youth prospect at Swansea Metropolis.
