A closely rotated Scotland finally eased previous 10-man Curacao 4-1 of their remaining match on dwelling soil earlier than heading off to the 2026 World Cup.
New Rangers signing Lawrence Shankland netted a second-half double after his soon-to-be Ibrox team-mate Findlay Curtis scored his first worldwide purpose to equalise simply earlier than half-time following Curacao’s shock opener, with Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie including a fourth late on from the penalty spot.
Steve Clarke’s facet fly out to the USA on Sunday to compete within the match for the primary time since 1998 however are sweating on the health of Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour who walked off injured within the first half.
John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, Kieran Tierney and Che Adams got additional relaxation after enjoying for his or her golf equipment final weekend whereas Southampton striker Ross Stewart was managing a knee damage.
Curacao, who’re managed by 78-year-old former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, are ranked 82nd on the earth and can change into the smallest nation in historical past to compete on the World Cup with a inhabitants of round 150,000.
They’re ranked one place larger than Haiti – who Scotland face of their opening group sport in Boston on June 14 earlier than matches towards prime 10 sides Morocco and Brazil.
A successful Hampden send-off
The guests deservedly took the lead after 21 minutes when Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong took the ball down on the midway line earlier than chopping inside John Souttar and reversing it in off the put up from the sting of the field.
Scotland struggled to search out their rhythm till they have been handed a numerical benefit within the thirty eighth minute when Curacao striker Jurgen Locadio was despatched off for a late elbow on Aaron Hickey.
Nonetheless, Hampden gasped two minutes later as Gilmour went down clutching his knee after enjoying an unopposed 10-yard go. The Napoli man was withdrawn and changed by 19-year-old Curtis who made an instantaneous impression along with his first and second touches.
The primary to set himself, the second to dispatch a low left-footed effort into the far nook for his first purpose for his nation.
A rejuvenated Scotland returned for the second interval as Shankland bought his first of the afternoon simply earlier than the hour mark from a well-worked coaching floor set-piece.
He then bagged his sixth worldwide purpose 4 minutes later after combining effectively with strike companion Lyndon Dykes earlier than firing into the far nook.
Teenager Curtis continued to impress off the left and supplied the Scots their fourth and remaining purpose when he was introduced down within the field by Sherel Floranus.
Shankland was already withdrawn so couldn’t full his hat-trick, however Christie stepped as much as rating his tenth worldwide purpose.
