Scotland's return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence has been marred by the devastating news that midfielder Billy Gilmour will miss the tournament due to a knee injury sustained in a 4-1 friendly victory over Curaçao at Hampden Park. The 24-year-old collapsed in the first half after playing a routine pass and immediately signaled distress, leaving the pitch in visible agony. Hours later, the Scottish FA confirmed that Gilmour had been ruled out of the finals, dealing a significant blow to Steve Clarke's plans.
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Tartan Army. Curaçao, ranked just one place below Haiti—Scotland's first World Cup opponent—stunned the hosts early on. Tahith Chong, the Sheffield United midfielder, delivered a moment of magic, collecting the ball on the halfway line with a sublime first touch that left Scott McKenna stranded, before striding past John Souttar and wrong-footing veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon to score one of the most memorable goals ever seen at Hampden. The visitors' lead was unexpected but not entirely undeserved given Scotland's sluggish start.
The contest turned on a moment of madness from Jürgen Locadia. The Curaçao forward was shown a straight red card after VAR review for planting an elbow into the face of Aaron Hickey after the ball had been cleared. Dick Advocaat, Curaçao's manager, was furious with the decision, later criticizing referee Goga Kikacheishvili, stating "For 50 minutes, he only whistled against us" and adding that the official being from Georgia "says enough." However, the veteran Dutch coach's ire would have been better directed at his own player, whose suspension may now extend into the World Cup.
Amid the chaos, Gilmour's injury occurred in innocuous fashion. The Brighton midfielder simply went down after passing the ball, clutching his right knee. His reaction as he was helped off the pitch betrayed the severity of the issue, and the later confirmation of his World Cup exit continues a wretched run of tournament misfortune for the talented playmaker. Gilmour was named man of the match in Scotland's 0-0 draw with England at Euro 2020 but then contracted COVID-19, missing the crucial final group match. Now, another major event will pass him by.
Scotland's response to going behind and losing a key man was stirring. Young Findlay Curtis, who replaced Gilmour, levelled the score before the break with a well-taken swivel and shot after latching onto Kenny McLean's deflected pass. The goal provided a much-needed lift, and Clarke's adjustments at halftime—including handing a surprise international debut to teenage midfielder Tyler Fletcher, son of former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher—injected fresh energy.
Lawrence Shankland then took centre stage. The 30-year-old striker, who will join Rangers when the transfer window opens, demonstrated why he remains Scotland's most lethal finisher. He put the hosts ahead early in the second half, steering home a clever corner routine from Ryan Christie's delivery, though Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room might have done better. Shankland doubled his tally with a composed strike after a neat lay-off from Lyndon Dykes, effectively ending the contest. A late penalty from Christie, after Juriën Gaari fouled Curtis, added gloss to the scoreline but it was Shankland's brace that defined the recovery.
Clarke had opted to start with two strikers—George Hirst partnering Shankland—and gave 43-year-old Craig Gordon a rare start in goal over Angus Gunn. The manager was without several key figures including Scott McTominay, John McGinn, and Kieran Tierney, who only joined the squad on Friday. Their absences highlighted Scotland's depth concerns, yet the performance of fringe players offered some reassurance ahead of the flight to the United States.
For Curaçao, the defeat was a harsh lesson in discipline. Playing with ten men for over a half, they managed to frustrate Scotland at times but ultimately crumbled. Advocaat's criticism of the referee suggests lingering questions over Locadia's suspension, but the primary concern for Clarke will be replacing Gilmour's creativity in midfield. The Brighton man's ability to dictate tempo and retain possession will be sorely missed against Haiti and beyond.
The friendly served its purpose in raising the profile of several squad players. Fletcher's debut, though unplanned in the official squad, signals Clarke's willingness to trust youth. The 18-year-old had been brought in to boost training numbers but earned his cap through impressive displays in the lead-up. Shankland's move to Rangers also adds a layer of intrigue, as he looks to carry club form onto the international stage.
Scotland head across the Atlantic with a blend of optimism and anxiety. The win was ultimately comfortable, but the cost of Gilmour's injury may linger. The Tartan Army, who gave the team a rousing send-off at Hampden, will hope the depth in midfield can compensate. The upcoming clash with Haiti now carries even greater weight, as Clarke must reconfigure his setup without one of his most gifted technicians.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.