One hundred and seven days on and we’re still pinching ourselves. It wasn’t a dream. Scotland are going to the World Cup.
And 100 days from now, they will end their 28-year wait and kick a ball on the biggest stage of all once again against Haiti on Sunday, 14 June, 02:00 BST – live on the BBC.
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As the clock counts down, things have become a little more real. But only a wee bit.
Scouting reports of stars from Brazil, Morocco and Haiti are being hastily fired around group chats, Steve Clarke has sorted his Scotland squad’s base camp in Charlotte and the Tartan Army know they can don their sporrans in stadiums stateside.
But there are still a lot of questions facing the head coach. Here, BBC Scotland takes a look at some of them.
Who’s a goer in goals?
As has been the case of late, Scotland are suffering from something of a goalkeeper crisis.
Craig Gordon was heroic between the sticks back in November, despite conceding three goals in Athens and two against the Danes at Hampden.
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However, the 43-year-old has been all-but ruled out of this month’s friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast with a shoulder injury.
The Hearts goalkeeper has missed the Scottish Premiership leaders’ past two matches, having sat on the bench for the four proceeding games.
That’s also where Angus Gunn has been spending his time recently. Although it is an improvement given he missed 10 Premier League matchday squads for Nottingham Forest either side of a knee injury in November and December.
Liam Kelly has kept two clean sheets in his two games for Rangers since Scotland qualified for the World Cup (both in the Scottish Cup), while Falkirk’s Scott Bain remains the only goalkeeper Clarke has recently included in his squads to be playing regular football.
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The 34-year-old told BBC Scotland earlier this week he is “really hopeful” of being involved in this month’s camp, which could play a pivotal part in realising his dream of being at the tournament this summer.
Who could make a late run?
It will need to be a pretty decent run to catch the eye of the fiercely loyal Clarke, mind you.
For Euro 2024, Celtic winger James Forrest timed his upturn in form to perfection and made the plane to Germany, while Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie was the only uncapped player there.
Ryan Jack was something of an outsider, given his lack of game time at Rangers, but the midfielder had long been one of Clarke’s trusted servants.
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Current Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak, then uncapped, was named in the squad, but was forced out by an injury.
Other than that, many would have comfortably been able to name Clarke’s squad. Nothing too much has changed since then, with the head coach seldom shaking up his squad.
He does still sometimes surprise us – and has previously said “there’s always room for an outsider” – and this month’s double-header could allow for a shock inclusion or two since there are a few regulars struggling with injury.
Former Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has called for Oli McBurnie to be involved. The 29-year-old Hull City striker, who last appeared for his country five years ago, has scored 13 goals in 21 Championship games this term.
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Further back, Stephen O’Donnell has made a case for a recall with his fine form at high-flying Motherwell. And the 33-year-old isn’t the only Steelman involved in the conversation among punters, with uncapped Stephen Welsh and one-time cap Paul McGinn also being touted.
All three have played a pivotal role in the Fir Park side’s incredible defensive record – conceding just 18 goals in 28 games – this season. It’s one of the best in Europe.
Another side making folk sit up across the continent are Heart of Midlothian, with Harry Milne one of the Premiership leaders’ standout performers.
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However, left-back is an area the Scots are rather blessed in, with Clarke having called on Sassuolo’s Josh Doig recently to cover Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Aaron Hickey.
What’s going on with the preparations?
While the squad selection is very much in the head coach’s hands, there are a few things outside his control causing a bit of a stir.
Most notably, the dispute between Foxborough town chiefs – where the Gillette Stadium, which is due to host Scotland’s first two group games against Haiti and Morocco, is located – and those responsible for security funding over a reported shortfall.
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However, Massachusetts governor Maura Healey insisted “the World Cup is going to happen”.
“It is going to be in Massachusetts,” she said. “It’s going to be great to have people come from all over the world and see our awesome state.”
Another state Scots will see is New Jersey. There’s just a little uncertainty over the opposition.
Although it was not officially announced, it was understood Scotland’s final pre-tournament friendly was to be against Peru.
However, it appears Spain will now play Peru, forcing the Scots to find another opponent for the fixture on 6 June.
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Clarke expressed his desire to face a South American nation and Venezuela have been widely linked as the replacements.
There will also be a new face opposite Clarke for Scotland’s second match at the finals, in the form of Mohamed Ouahbi, after Morocco parted ways with head coach Walid Regragui on Thursday.
The 50-year-old led them to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup – the first African side to reach that stage of the tournament – and to the final of this year’s Africa Cup of Nation, which was held in Morocco.
Senegal prevailed in a chaotic and controversial showpiece, in what proved to be Regragui’s final game in charge.
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