Archive September 9, 2025

Two days before Scotland’s friendly against Liechtenstein in June, the one-year anniversary of a striker last scoring a goal for the national team hit.

In the three games since, Che Adams has four, while George Hirst has now opened his account.

Torino striker Adams netted a confidence-boosting hat-trick in Vaduz to become the first forward since Lawrence Shankland against Finland in Scotland’s Euros farewell match to find the back of the net for Steve Clarke’s side.

And he then opened the scoring for the Scots against Belarus in Monday’s 2-0 win as they made it four points from the first available six in World Cup qualifying.

It was one of many notable positives in Zalaegerszeg, as was the return of Ben Gannon-Doak on the left wing. On Friday night against Denmark, John McGinn out on the right rolled back the years.

Across camp, Clarke repeatedly expressed his excitement that he could look to his bench and be “happy” with his options available.

Hirst got a cameo in Copenhagen. Lennon Miller was thrown for a few minutes on Monday. Hibernian hot-shot Kieron Bowie didn’t leave the bench.

The impact of Gannon-Doak was one of the main talking points. Starting the game on the left flank, he showed maturity and bravery on the ball to try and make things happen.

Given the deep-lying banks of Belarus jerseys, it wasn’t an easy task for the man whose season was cut short last campaign with a thigh injury.

“He just picked up from where he’d left off in a Scotland jersey, which was great to see,” said Michael Stewart of the Bournemouth winger.

“As much as you saw it with your own two eyes when he was first there, you start thinking to yourself, was that really as impactful and as good as I thought? It almost becomes a bit of a mirage.

“But his decision making was even better than before. He looked very clinical in the final third, with the right passes at the right time and got into great areas.

“He brings you penetration and that ability to get to the line that probably isn’t as apparent with other players. He changes the whole dynamic of the team as an attacking force.

“That feeds into the whole debate about the strikers, but it’s worthwhile recognising that the strikers are not some sort of exclusive entity.

Four goals in three games for Adams, who clearly is first choice after starts in both games, is a solid return for the Torino forward.

He also played a big part in Scotland’s second goal on Monday night.

It hints at a finding of form for the man with 10 international goals to his name, especially when four of that tally came so recently.

But who else does Clarke have at his disposal, and was the lack of game time for promising Hibernian striker Bowie a missed opportunity?

“Che Adams is clearly the manager’s man,” said former Scotland international Stewart.

“He wants to play him, so scoring last night is massively positive for the national team because ultimately you want to have him doing well and scoring goals.

“Lyndon Dykes has always had strong attributes, I think his all-round game is the most important part of his game that he brings to the side.

“We’ve seen flashes of Hirst, he looks very competent, while with Bowie, I feel like he’s made his announcement of, ‘I’m here, I’m ready’ with the way that he plays.

“It feels like he’s ready, so I think that’s where a lot of the excitement comes from, because as good as that is on paper, all the attributes all four have, he seems to me to have a lot of those in one.

“John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon-Doak, there’s plenty there [in midfield], it feels like a nice mix and a blend there.

Scotland have put themselves into a strong position.

Four points from six has them tied with Denmark in Group C and a point above Greece. It’s a solid platform.

Next up are the Greeks at Hampden in October, swiftly followed by Belarus, also in Glasgow. Given Scotland are the only side not yet to either play or drop points at home, getting victory in both would set hearts fluttering.

“That’s going to ultimately define the campaign,” said Stewart.

“As much as you’re not going to take anything for granted in the game after against Belarus at home – if you’re able to get three points against them, all of a sudden you’re sitting at 10 points, after four games or with two games to go, and it’s an incredibly strong position to be in.

“It’s ramping up nicely.”

If everyone stays fit, is this one of the strongest attacks?

Two days before Scotland’s friendly against Liechtenstein in June, the one-year anniversary of a striker last scoring a goal for the national team hit.

In the three games since, Che Adams has four, while George Hirst has now opened his account.

Torino striker Adams netted a confidence-boosting hat-trick in Vaduz to become the first forward since Lawrence Shankland against Finland in Scotland’s Euros farewell match to find the back of the net for Steve Clarke’s side.

And he then opened the scoring for the Scots against Belarus in Monday’s 2-0 win as they made it four points from the first available six in World Cup qualifying.

It was one of many notable positives in Zalaegerszeg, as was the return of Ben Gannon-Doak on the left wing. On Friday night against Denmark, John McGinn out on the right rolled back the years.

Across camp, Clarke repeatedly expressed his excitement that he could look to his bench and be “happy” with his options available.

Hirst got a cameo in Copenhagen. Lennon Miller was thrown for a few minutes on Monday. Hibernian hot-shot Kieron Bowie didn’t leave the bench.

The impact of Gannon-Doak was one of the main talking points. Starting the game on the left flank, he showed maturity and bravery on the ball to try and make things happen.

Given the deep-lying banks of Belarus jerseys, it wasn’t an easy task for the man whose season was cut short last campaign with a thigh injury.

“He just picked up from where he’d left off in a Scotland jersey, which was great to see,” said Michael Stewart of the Bournemouth winger.

“As much as you saw it with your own two eyes when he was first there, you start thinking to yourself, was that really as impactful and as good as I thought? It almost becomes a bit of a mirage.

“But his decision making was even better than before. He looked very clinical in the final third, with the right passes at the right time and got into great areas.

“He brings you penetration and that ability to get to the line that probably isn’t as apparent with other players. He changes the whole dynamic of the team as an attacking force.

“That feeds into the whole debate about the strikers, but it’s worthwhile recognising that the strikers are not some sort of exclusive entity.

Four goals in three games for Adams, who clearly is first choice after starts in both games, is a solid return for the Torino forward.

He also played a big part in Scotland’s second goal on Monday night.

It hints at a finding of form for the man with 10 international goals to his name, especially when four of that tally came so recently.

But who else does Clarke have at his disposal, and was the lack of game time for promising Hibernian striker Bowie a missed opportunity?

“Che Adams is clearly the manager’s man,” said former Scotland international Stewart.

“He wants to play him, so scoring last night is massively positive for the national team because ultimately you want to have him doing well and scoring goals.

“Lyndon Dykes has always had strong attributes, I think his all-round game is the most important part of his game that he brings to the side.

“We’ve seen flashes of Hirst, he looks very competent, while with Bowie, I feel like he’s made his announcement of, ‘I’m here, I’m ready’ with the way that he plays.

“It feels like he’s ready, so I think that’s where a lot of the excitement comes from, because as good as that is on paper, all the attributes all four have, he seems to me to have a lot of those in one.

“John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon-Doak, there’s plenty there [in midfield], it feels like a nice mix and a blend there.

Scotland have put themselves into a strong position.

Four points from six has them tied with Denmark in Group C and a point above Greece. It’s a solid platform.

Next up are the Greeks at Hampden in October, swiftly followed by Belarus, also in Glasgow. Given Scotland are the only side not yet to either play or drop points at home, getting victory in both would set hearts fluttering.

“That’s going to ultimately define the campaign,” said Stewart.

“As much as you’re not going to take anything for granted in the game after against Belarus at home – if you’re able to get three points against them, all of a sudden you’re sitting at 10 points, after four games or with two games to go, and it’s an incredibly strong position to be in.

“It’s ramping up nicely.”

If everyone stays fit, is this one of the strongest attacks?

Fabio Wardley said he had no hesitation about taking a fight with Joseph Parker and plans to prove he is a world class heavyweight by knocking out his rival.

The Briton faces Parker on 25 October at London’s O2 Arena, with the winner expected to be Oleksandr Usyk’s next opponent.

Like Parker with the WBO, Wardley is ranked highly by the WBA but decided to take on the New Zealander rather than wait for an injured Usyk to return to action.

“It wasn’t really much of a consideration,” 30-year-old Wardley told BBC Sport.

“I believe I should be in the conversation for those top heavyweights. It’s something maybe the public think needs to be proven.

“But what better way to do that than take on the number two heavyweight in the world in Joseph Parker.”

The heavyweights met at their first news conference on Thursday in London, but there were few fireworks aside from the customary promises of domination and knockouts.

Former world champion Parker, 33, has always been a fan favourite but has reinvented himself in recent years with big wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole.

His run was meant to rewarded with a world title shot, but a meeting with then IBF champion Daniel Dubois in February was cancelled in fight week.

Parker, the WBO’s interim champion, then had his shot at Usyk postponed because of an injury to the Ukrainian.

There is a chance Usyk decides to vacate before then, but it is the second time a row Parker has had a world title shot delayed.

“As a fighter all you want to do is fight,” Parker said of the disappointment.

“Every fight’s a risky fight, but at this stage it is a big risk. I have a lot to lose.

“I don’t want to be waiting around for Usyk. I want to be busy and I want to fight often.

Should the bout get upgraded to a world title fight is of no concern to Wardley, however.

The knockout artist will take Parker’s position as next in line with a victory and cap off what will be a stunning rise to world class level having started off in white collar boxing.

“This is already a world title fight. With it on the line or without it there, this is the biggest test of my career to date. This is my world title fight. We know what comes after,” Wardley said.

“I don’t see this going the distance. One way or another there is going to be a knockout.

“So far so good for me, it’s always been me. I’ve always found a way to win. We know how much of a right hand in me that I can pull out at any moment.

Fabio Wardley said he had no hesitation about taking a fight with Joseph Parker and plans to prove he is a world class heavyweight by knocking out his rival.

The Briton faces Parker on 25 October at London’s O2 Arena, with the winner expected to be Oleksandr Usyk’s next opponent.

Like Parker with the WBO, Wardley is ranked highly by the WBA but decided to take on the New Zealander rather than wait for an injured Usyk to return to action.

“It wasn’t really much of a consideration,” 30-year-old Wardley told BBC Sport.

“I believe I should be in the conversation for those top heavyweights. It’s something maybe the public think needs to be proven.

“But what better way to do that than take on the number two heavyweight in the world in Joseph Parker.”

The heavyweights met at their first news conference on Thursday in London, but there were few fireworks aside from the customary promises of domination and knockouts.

Former world champion Parker, 33, has always been a fan favourite but has reinvented himself in recent years with big wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole.

His run was meant to rewarded with a world title shot, but a meeting with then IBF champion Daniel Dubois in February was cancelled in fight week.

Parker, the WBO’s interim champion, then had his shot at Usyk postponed because of an injury to the Ukrainian.

There is a chance Usyk decides to vacate before then, but it is the second time a row Parker has had a world title shot delayed.

“As a fighter all you want to do is fight,” Parker said of the disappointment.

“Every fight’s a risky fight, but at this stage it is a big risk. I have a lot to lose.

“I don’t want to be waiting around for Usyk. I want to be busy and I want to fight often.

Should the bout get upgraded to a world title fight is of no concern to Wardley, however.

The knockout artist will take Parker’s position as next in line with a victory and cap off what will be a stunning rise to world class level having started off in white collar boxing.

“This is already a world title fight. With it on the line or without it there, this is the biggest test of my career to date. This is my world title fight. We know what comes after,” Wardley said.

“I don’t see this going the distance. One way or another there is going to be a knockout.

“So far so good for me, it’s always been me. I’ve always found a way to win. We know how much of a right hand in me that I can pull out at any moment.