Scotland's defensive unit has been disrupted by the loss of Kieran Tierney for the upcoming World Cup semi-final play-off with Ukraine but who's going to step in for the Arsenal star.
Former dark blue's hero Steven Pressley has assessed boss Steve Clarke's preferred three at the back formation and potential candidates for Tierney's usual left sided role.
The 32-time capped Hearts legend makes a few surprise admissions over his first picks for the Hampden showdown on June 1st before hopefully facing Wales in Cardiff on 5 June for a place at the World Cup in Qatar.
Scotland will confront three Nations League matches, with a trip to take on the Republic of Ireland in between home and away games against Armenia.
Pressley is currently Head of Individual Development at Brentford and he told Record Sport his three-at-the back preference practically picks itself.
Scott McTominay
"I watched Scott live recently when Manchester United played at our stadium and he operated in a midfield position that day.
"He was probably the best performer in their team, he was outstanding. I appreciate he's very adaptable but I feel his strongest position is without doubt in the middle of the pitch. That's where his talents are best served.
"I like players to play their positions and that may sound simplistic; they can be adaptable when required.
"McTominay can go box to box and be a huge influence as a ball winner so I'd have him in the middle as we have enough options at the back to not require him to drop back.
"There is more than enough quality in terms of the back-up for Tierney and one of the most important parts of fielding any team and formation is balance.
"Whoever plays in Tierney's role has to be left sided, whether it's a back three or four, whoever plays in that left side is key as it can be too much of an adjustment for a right sided player which McTominay is. Being on the left side of a back three is an even bigger adjustment so I'd deploy a left sided player to do that job.
Liam Cooper
"Cooper is a player I've always liked and I watched him at the weekend when Brentford played Leeds United.
"I didn't think he delivered an outstanding performance, he was steady and I feel he's really matured as a footballer and has continued to progress.
"It's clear to see the improvement in him since he established himself as a Premier League player and he is now using all of that experience.
"He is certainly a potential option as he's left sided which is a crucial aspect to get the balance right in the team. Cooper is a good option as defensive cover.
Scott McKenna
"I'm a huge fan of McKenna, I really like this kid and I always have. He has good pace and good mobility, he also has great physicality and has had a really good season at Nottingham Forest.
"He would be my preferred option to fill the void which Tierney's injury has created. He's adapted so well to the game down south and that's shown by just how well he's done in this campaign where he's played a big part in his club gaining promotion.
"If you look at how Forest play under Steve Cooper, they generally play with a back three and have done that all season.
"So McKenna would be the natural replacement in that position as he's been employed in that position all season and it's just another aspect which has me favouring him.
Jack Hendry
"Hendry is a right sided player so he doesn't really come into my thoughts as a replacement for Tierney. He also has another issue despite being part of the Brugge side which won the Belgian title as he hasn't played a lot of football.
"He's been cast to the side a little bit and that is a huge factor and that's an issue despite scoring the goal which won his team the league.
"Scotland play a system which is very much like Sheffield United's when they were in the Premier League, they set up to allow their central defenders to get forward and Tierney does that so well, he's like an auxiliary wing-back.
"He gives us a different dynamic whether that's bursting down the left side or arriving late inside the box and I just don't see Hendry being suited to that role.
Grant Hanley
"I would only play Hanley as the central man in a back three and I believe he's been an outstanding performer for Scotland.
"He had an excellent European Championships and is very underestimated. He's very good at just doing the basics well, he's quicker than people give him credit for, he is a strong defender and a very good communicator. He may be underestimated but he has served Scotland brilliantly and is clearly a player valued and trusted by Clarke.
John Souttar
"He's a bit like Hendry in that I wouldn't consider him as an option for the left side. I was up to watch the Scottish Cup Final at the weekend and I thought his performance was excellent. He was arguably the best outfield player for Hearts on the day.
"I like Souttar a lot, he has some great defensive attributes but my only concern would be his fitness levels, has he played enough games to merit the start and I'm not sure about that.
"A fit John Souttar with a lot of football behind him could definitely be a starter for Scotland in a back three but it's a big ask for these games. That said, he would get the nod from me.
"One of his strengths is that he's very quick and when you play in a back three, some managers want to use big athletic full-backs but in Souttar you get good athleticism and good speed, again he'd give the side that balance which is so important.
Steven Pressley's back three to face Ukraine: John Souttar, Grant Hanley, Scott McKenna
