Scotland assess squad after international friendlies

The Scotland men's national team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Japan in Yokohama before a 2-1 loss against Ivory Coast in Lille. According to Sky Sports, manager Steve Clarke utilised the fixtures to integrate younger players into the senior setup. Max Johnston and Tommy Conway both earned appearances during the window, while Ryan Porteous started both matches in a back three. Midfielder Billy Gilmour maintained his position in the starting line-up, though the team failed to secure a victory across the two fixtures. Per The Guardian, the results extend a difficult run for the national side as preparations continue for future competitive matches. Clarke expressed that the friendly format allowed for experimentation with different tactical systems and personnel. Lewis Ferguson and Scott McTominay featured prominently, but the squad struggled with defensive consistency during the final stages of the Ivory Coast game. No new injury concerns were reported following the conclusion of the break, and players have now returned to their respective clubs.