Clarke is looking for more evolution in the upcoming World Cup ties as we build up to the Euros
Options or conundrums? Now’s the time for Scotland boss to make up his mind
The next 10 days could show Scotland fans the shape of things to come.
Steve Clarke has made it clear that he’s not committed to sticking with his three-at-the-back formation.
It was the formula used by the national team boss to get his boys to their first major tournament for 23 years.
But things could now change, with Scott McTominay, Jack Hendry and Grant Hanley at the centre of a possible reshuffle.
It looks, however, like Billy Gilmour’s dream of making the Euros is over.
There was an element of mend-and-make-do about the way Clarke got the Scots past Israel and Serbia in the Euro 2020 play-offs.
Skipper Andy Robertson was moved forward to operate in a wing-back role, allowing both the Liverpool man and Kieran Tierney to play in the same side.
But perhaps the most-radical change was moving McTominay from midfield to defence.
The Manchester United man has been playing more regularly in the middle of the park with his club since that triumph in Belgrade.
So there will be a big temptation to field him in that role for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Austria, Israel and the Faroe Islands.
Clarke said: “We need to be able to play a number of systems, whether it’s a back three or back four.
“I’m quite keen to explore that.
“I think if you watch Scott’s midfield performance in the English Premier League, they have been of a very high standard.
“He has done really well, and he has become a first-choice regular pick in that Manchester United team, which is not an easy thing to do with the competition they have there.
“It’s something I am keen to look at.
“But I am also aware of how well Scott did for us when he played in a back three.”
Norwich City’s Hanley and Hendry – currently on loan at Belgian club KV Oostende from Celtic – have been given the chance to show they can bolster the Scotland defence.
Clarke explained: “I’ve tried to pick Grant a couple of times, but on both occasions he has picked up niggling little injuries.
“I believe he is currently on a run of 29-30 games for his club, and is doing really well.
“Grant can also play off the right, and in the centre of a back three.
“Both he and Jack can play right side as part of a back four, which I think is important if we are going to continue to evolve the team.”
Scotland supporters have been desperate to see Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour in action.
However, the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as manager at Stamford Bridge hasn’t resulted in Gilmour getting much game time.
“Billy has not featured much recently, but he is obviously back after a serious knee injury that kept him out for five months,” said Clarke.
“It takes a bit of time to get back to your level.
“I saw him play in the FA Cup game against Barnsley, and I thought he played quite well.
“He is a good prospect, Billy, but he is only 19 years of age.
“He has 15 years in front of him, so he has plenty of time to push his way into the Scotland national team.”
Clarke is pleased to see Celtic’s James Forrest making his comeback from a long-term injury and he must still have a good chance of making the squad this summer.
The manager added: “Although I’m trying to improve different areas of the team, I think that sticking by the nucleus of the squad that managed to achieve that historic feat of making the Euros, then hopefully I have got the balance right.
“Nobody can get ahead of themselves because you don’t know what’s going to happen between now and the summer. Nobody knows.
“I think if the last year has shown us anything, it’s that.
“Concentrate on the moment and the three massive qualifiers for the World Cup.
“After that, the Euros will take care of themselves.”