UMVA has learned that Scotland's World Cup preparations have hit a snag, with the team cancelling a behind-closed-doors match with Norway due to a series of fitness concerns.
The Norwegian FA confirmed that the decision was made 'due to injuries,' dealing a blow to Scotland's momentum ahead of their World Cup campaign. Scotland's first match is against Haiti on June 14, followed by group games against Morocco and Brazil.
Despite this setback, Scotland's recent 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia seemed to be going well, with goals from Lawrence Shankland, Scott McTominay, and two from Che Adams. However, the cancellation of the Norway match suggests that there are some underlying issues within the squad.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Scotland's manager Steve Clarke described the fitness concerns as 'minor,' but the exact nature and extent of the injuries remain unclear. Clarke had sounded optimistic about his team's prospects after the Bolivia match, praising the team's performance and result.
The Norway head coach, Stale Solbakken, expressed disappointment at the cancellation, revealing that the match was intended to give playing time to players who wouldn't feature in their upcoming friendly against Morocco. The cancellation means Solbakken will make more changes to his lineup for that match.
Scotland's squad is dealing with a couple of fitness issues, but Clarke remains focused on the World Cup. He emphasized the importance of being clinical and making the most of their opportunities, particularly in their opening match against Haiti.
As the World Cup approaches, Scotland's team is eager to make an impact. Clarke reminded himself and his team to enjoy the moments and take it one game at a time, but the pressure is on to deliver a strong performance.
