Scotland Men's Football Team

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kevin Gallagher recalls "feeling like a 10-year-old" when he watched the World Cup draw as a Scotland striker in 1997.

The former Dundee United forward was part of Craig Brown's squad at the 1998 finals.

"It was a boyhood dream [to play in a World Cup]," the 59-year-old told BBC Breakfast.

"I'd seen Scotland play Brazil before in a World Cup but my boyhood dream, in my mum and dad's back garden, was to play Brazil in a World Cup final.

"That night, when I sat and watched a draw for the World Cup with major interest, when we saw the draw was Brazil as the first game, I shrank to about a 10-year-old."

Scotland will find out their group-stage opponents for the 2026 World Cup tonight (the draw starts at 17:00 GMT) but Gallagher knows the Tartan Army will be backing the squad all the way no matter their opponents.

"Getting there is key," he added.

"We were getting absolutely slaughtered by the Scottish fans for being Dad's Army because a lot of the guys were in their 30s, this was our last opportunity. It's very similar to the squad now. There's a few guys in there who, if we qualified for the next World Cup, wouldn't be there.

"The Scotland fans are the best in the world. As long as the players give 100% and the supporters feel that, they'll always be behind you. That's what's special about them.

"I think that'll help the lads hopefully relax that little bit because the fans will be the 12th man."

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

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Stephen O'Donnell believes every Scottish player should be trying to give national manager Steve Clarke "a headache" in the run-up to the World Cup.

The men's team will take part in next summer's finals after a 28-year absence.

"It'll give every single player that's Scottish - even the ones that maybe aren't Scottish but have Scottish somewhere - a possibility to be in the squad," said O'Donnell, who won 26 caps between 2018 and 2022.

"Steve Clarke's never shut anyone down in a squad.

"Every player that's at their club, as their manager should be doing, is keeping their mouth shut, encouraging them and hoping they go and perform well and give the Scotland manager a headache. I think that's what we all should be trying to do."

The draw for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States takes place in Washington DC on Friday.

"I would love us to have a group that either gets the imagination, the spirit, the colour of the World Cup," said O'Donnell.

"Or I want the three worst teams possible and a right good chance of getting out it with six points or something like that.

"I'm excited to watch it, be part of it, whatever role, if any, I'm in. Player? Who knows."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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"I've already told my American mates, I'm dragging you there with me and putting a Scotland shirt on... we're not supporting America!"

Like many Scots, Georgia Brown is buzzing for the World Cup draw on Friday. Unlike many, though, she has a head start in planning.

Scotland women's defender Brown is based in Florida and plays for Sporting Club Jacksonville. A prime location for potential games in Atlanta and Miami.

The 23-year-old is keeping her fingers crossed for "a little trip" there, instead of a cross-country journey. Though that is something she's used to while playing in the USL Super League.

"I love it," Brown said on living in the States. "I mean, Florida, I can't complain because of the climate, but pre-season is rough, I'll let you know that... 35 degrees, running in that is not fun.

"And the travel is difficult. You're flying four hours to some games across the country, but I think it just prepares you for coming to Scotland camp. Travel is no problem for me, I'm just used to it every week.

"Honestly, it's a massive place. Everything is 10 times bigger. People claim that, but it's actually true.

"The roads are massive as well, and don't think you can walk anywhere because you can't. You have to have a car or a taxi but there's so much to do and honestly, each state is like a different country. Every state has such a different culture, so just travel around as much as you can.

"We're in quite an ideal location, Jacksonville, we've got Atlanta and Miami, so hopefully Scotland are drawn in one of those stadiums and we can have a little trip there. That wouldn't be too bad."

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Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has been named Serie A player of the year after a title-winning debut season with Napoli.

The 28-year-old scored 13 times in 36 appearances last term during his first campaign in Italian football after leaving Manchester United.

Last month, McTominay netted the opener - a stunning overhead kick - as Scotland defeated Denmark 4-2 to seal a place at next summer's World Cup, the draw for which takes place on Friday.

Domestically so far this season, McTominay has scored five times in 17 appearances.

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor says doing a U-turn on his Scotland retirement for next summer's World Cup is "not something I've thought of".

The 32-year-old called time on his international career after Euro 2024 having won 63 caps.

Asked if he would have any interest in a recall for the World Cup, McGregor said: "To be honest, it's not something I've thought of.

"Obviously the guys have done amazing to qualify in the last international break. I've a lot of good team-mates and good friends in there, so I was so happy for them.

"And for me, I just want to concentrate on the job I've got here. I don't want to get drawn into anything like that, I've got a big, big job here, change of manager soon probably, so I'll just keep trying to play well and help the team and then whatever will be, will be."

McGregor has been an integral figure in Celtic's resurgence under caretaker boss Martin O'Neill, who will continue in charge for Wednesday's visit of Dundee after paperwork issues delayed the appointment of Wilfried Nancy.

Celtic were eight points adrift of Hearts when Brendan Rodgers resigned five weeks ago after a 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle but they are now within two points of Derek McInnes' with a game in hand after winning four consecutive league matches.

All going to plan, Nancy's first three games will be a top-of-the-table showdown at home to Hearts on Sunday, a Europa League visit from Roma and a Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren.

"That's Celtic for you, isn't it? Every week's a big week," said McGregor.

"It doesn't matter when you come in, you play 60-odd games [a season], you have to win them all. That is the pressure of this club.

"And whenever the manager's first game is, they'll be under pressure to win as well."

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Jack Milne's form at Aberdeen may make it "very difficult" for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke to ignore, believes Andy Halliday.

Motherwell's Halliday has been impressed with the 22-year-old, who has made 19 appearances so far this season.

"It's important that we're looking at where can we improve our squad, not only for the World Cup but moving forward," Halliday told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Scotland lack a little bit in both boxes, I'd say, at the centre-half position and the striker position. Especially you're always looking at what's the next batch coming through, who are the younger players coming through that can potentially replace these guys?

"Jack Milne for me is certainly one that's caught the eye over the course of the season. I actually thought he was excellent in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic last year, playing the middle of the back three and I think he's having a really good season for Aberdeen.

"Aberdeen, since they've changed their shape to that back three, they've had a wee upturn in results and performances and I think Jack Milne's been absolutely integral to that as well. Jack Milne will make it very difficult for him to be ignored if continues the form he's on."

Scotland could face World Cup holders Argentina in a March friendly, according to reports in the South American country. (The Herald On Sunday), external

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