As Scotland prepares for its first World Cup appearance in nearly three decades, winger Ben Gannon-Doak carries a renewed sense of purpose—and a lesson learned from past heartbreak. The 20-year-old Bournemouth attacker was cruelly denied a place at Euro 2024 after injury derailed his late call-up to Steve Clarke’s provisional squad. Now, fully fit and immersed in the team’s pre-tournament camp in the United States, Gannon-Doak believes missing that tournament was a necessary setback.
“The Euros probably came a bit too early,” Gannon-Doak admitted in an interview with Sky Sports News. “I don’t think I would have given the best account of myself that I know that I could have done. I’m much more prepared and ready to go and play in a tournament now than I was back then.” That honesty underscores a maturity beyond his years—a quality Clarke will value as Scotland navigates a challenging Group E comprising Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil.
Gannon-Doak’s trajectory has been steep. After emerging from Liverpool’s academy, his move to Bournemouth offered regular football and a platform to refine his direct, fearless style. His inclusion in this 26-man squad is no surprise, but the context of his Euro 2024 snub adds emotional weight. Back then, he was a wildcard option; now he is a genuine contender for minutes, bringing pace and unpredictability off the flank.
The Scotland squad blends youthful exuberance with hard-earned experience. Eight players, including Gannon-Doak and Rangers’ Findlay Curtis, were not even born when the national team last graced a World Cup in 1998. At the opposite end, 43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon—set to become the oldest player in tournament history—offers a living link to that campaign in France. This generational mix, Gannon-Doak insists, creates a potent dynamic. “The younger lads like myself and Findlay coming into the team, there’s an element of fearlessness,” he said. “The experienced lads that have played 70 or 80 games for Scotland, they know how to manage these games. I think it’s a good mix.”
Scotland’s journey begins with a friendly against Bolivia on Saturday, a final tune-up before their opening match against Haiti on June 14. The group then intensifies with dates against Morocco and the formidable Brazil, a side packed with global superstars. For a nation that has never progressed beyond the group stage at a major tournament, the task is daunting but not impossible. Clarke’s side arrives on the back of a promising qualifying campaign and a Nations League run that showcased defensive resilience and midfield steel.
Gannon-Doak’s own form for Bournemouth in the Premier League—where he contributed five goals and seven assists in the season just concluded—has been central to his confidence. His ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations adds a dimension Scotland sometimes lacks. Combined with the guile of John McGinn, the work rate of Che Adams, and the creativity of Lewis Ferguson, the attack appears more potent than ever.
Injury management remains a subplot. Key defender Kieran Tierney, who joined Celtic on loan to regain fitness, is in the squad, as is Aaron Hickey, who has recovered from a long-term hamstring issue. The depth in wide areas, highlighted by Nathan Patterson and Anthony Ralston, gives Clarke tactical flexibility. Gannon-Doak could feature as an impact substitute or even start if Clarke opts for a counter-attacking setup, where his speed would be lethal.
The emotional scar of Euro 2024 lingers, but it now serves as fuel. For Gannon-Doak, watching his teammates travel to Germany without him was a defining moment. “It hurt a lot,” he previously acknowledged. That pain has been channelled into physical preparation and a mental reset. His comments in the run-up to the World Cup reveal a player who has turned disappointment into determination.
Scotland’s supporters, who have snapped up tickets for the US-based matches, will hope this group can finally rewrite history. The last major tournament outing—a group-stage exit at Euro 2024 with a single point—left a bitter taste. Clarke retained the faith of the Scottish FA and used the subsequent Nations League to blood new talent. The result is a squad that Gannon-Doak believes can “go and do it,” even if he admits it will be a monumental challenge.
The tactical blueprint is likely to revolve around a solid back three, with Tierney, Hendry, and McKenna providing the base, and Robertson—whose club future remains unresolved—operating as a wing-back. In midfield, McTominay’s late runs and Christie’s pressing add layers. Up front, Clarke can choose between physical target men like Dykes or more mobile options such as Adams or the emerging George Hirst.
All eyes will be on the Brazil encounter, a fixture that pits Scotland against five-time champions. For a young player like Gannon-Doak, sharing the pitch with Neymar or Vinícius Júnior would be a career highlight, but he is adamant the focus is collective. “If you asked one of the more experienced lads, they’d say the same,” he said, reflecting the squad’s unified mindset.
As Scotland fine-tunes its preparations under the American sun, the narrative of redemption courses through the camp. Gannon-Doak’s personal journey from Euros heartbreak to World Cup readiness mirrors the team’s broader ambition: to shed the tag of perennial underachievers. Whether they can do so will be decided over three group games, but the belief, for once, feels tangible rather than forced.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.
