STEVE CLARKE isn’t renowned for chopping and changing his Scotland side, and the formidable opponent that awaits his team in the shape of World Cup finalists France on Tuesday night may ensure he again goes as close to his strongest XI as possible.
Some injuries to regulars and some tired limbs from the heroic effort in Spain last Thursday though may mean he takes the opportunity of a rare friendly match to give some of his fringe men a chance to shine.
Here are five Scotland squad men who will hope to get an opportunity to make an impression…
ZANDER CLARK
It would be quite the firing line to be placed into for your international debut between the sticks, but given the comparative lack of friendly matches Scotland now play, if the back-up goalies don’t get a run-out here then they may never get one.
It can’t be easy trailing around the continent knowing that – barring an injury to number one Angus Gunn – you have little to no chance of getting any playing time, and manager Clarke may look at this as an ideal opportunity to see if either of his reserve options are up to the level.
Motherwell’s Liam Kelly has been in better form this season after a below-par campaign last term by his own standards, but if Clarke does opt to give Gunn a rest, then it will likely be Hearts keeper Clark who gets the nod.
He has been able to replace Craig Gordon at club level since the veteran’s horror leg break last season with minimal fuss, though he is not yet at the same level as the former Scotland number one.
He will hope to get the chance to show that he can make the step up for his country against some of the world’s deadliest marksmen.
JOHN SOUTTAR
The Rangers centre-back would likely be an established regular at international level but for the horrendous run of injuries he has suffered throughout his career, but with Kieran Tierney nailed on to start in the back three when fit, he is currently behind the likes of Jack Hendry, Ryan Porteous and Scott McKenna for one of the remaining two slots.
The last time he played against a top 10 opponent for Scotland, Souttar shone, scoring and contributing to a clean sheet in the brilliant win over Denmark at Hampden. Along with Liam Cooper, he will be hoping to get the nod here to show what he can do against another world-class opponent, with France another considerable step up in class.
LEWIS FERGUSON
The midfielder has had to be extremely patient for a platform to show that he can take his fantastic form for Bologna in Serie A onto the international stage, and this might just be the perfect opportunity.
The former Hamilton and Aberdeen man has been another who has suffered by playing in a position in which Scotland have an embarrassment of riches, but his displays for his club playing in an advanced midfield role suggest he could offer a goal threat for his country from the middle of the park.
He has been champing at the bit to stake his claim for a Scotland jersey, and this could be the moment.
GREG TAYLOR
It could be argued that Taylor is - in one way at least - the Andy Murray of Scottish football, given that his opportunities for success at the top level have been hampered in no small part by the era in which he competes.
The presence of captain Robertson and Tierney have meant that the Celtic left-back has had to bide his time, collecting just 10 caps since his debut against Belgium over four years ago.
At last, the stars seemed to have aligned for him with both Robertson and Tierney sidelined through injury, and if Clarke does decide to give Hickey a rest, Taylor could be rewarded both for his patience and for his recent fine form at club level.
JACOB BROWN
The Luton Town forward is the definition of a fringe man in this Scotland squad, having made just six substitute appearances to date, and with three of those coming after the 85th minute. He hasn’t made it onto the pitch for his country, in fact, since getting the last 10 minutes or so of the friendly defeat to Turkey last November.
The Tartan Army therefore have little to no idea what sort of player Brown is, despite the fact he is now regularly getting game time in the English Premier League, and whether or not he could be a viable option to compete with Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes for a starting slot up top.
It is unlikely he will start here, with Adams perhaps expected to get the nod after Dykes started against Spain. But with Kevin Nisbet withdrawing through injury, he might get some significant time on the pitch to try and make an impression on Clarke and the Scotland support at last.
