Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli faces significant selection decisions as his team prepares to play North Macedonia on Saturday. The match is crucial as Pocognoli seeks his first win, following two games that yielded one point and no goals.
Goalkeeper Angus Gunn's recent form has come under scrutiny, with pundit Andy Halliday describing his failure to save Ricardo Rodriguez's opener against Switzerland as "so poor." Gunn has conceded 23 goals in 11 games for his club, San Jose Earthquakes, and his international performances have continued this trend. Despite this, he is likely to start due to a lack of experienced alternatives.
In defence, Stephen Welsh, who plays for Swansea City, made a positive impact as a substitute against Switzerland and could return to the starting line-up, especially with Jack Hendry suspended. Welsh's versatility and comfort with carrying the ball are seen as assets for Pocognoli's style of play.
Further forward, winger Ben Gannon-Doak has yet to start under Pocognoli, but his impact as a substitute has been notable. Pundit Halliday would be "shocked" if the Bournemouth player did not start against Group B1's bottom side, North Macedonia. However, Pocognoli's 3-4-1-2 formation does not have an obvious role for him.
Scotland's goal-scoring drought continues, with the team having not scored in their last four games, a total of 422 minutes. This leaves them 25 minutes away from setting an unwanted record for failing to score, last set in 1970-71 when they went 447 minutes without a goal.