Che Adams hopes his Scotland World Cup strike partner is here to stay after firing blanks in a lonely Euros slog. Adams and Lawrence Shankland scored three of the four goals in last weekend's 4-0 victory over Bolivia in the final warm-up game.
Adams reflects on Euro 2024 isolation
You could forgive Che Adams for feeling a little bit lonely at Euro 2024 in Germany, writes Scott McDermott in Charlotte. To say he was a bit isolated up front in Scotland's three games would be an understatement. He put a shift in for Steve Clarke's side against the Germans, Switzerland and Hungary. That's never in question with the Torino striker. But too often, his team-mates never got remotely close to Adams as he ploughed a lone furrow to offer any serious attacking threat.
That's part of the reason why Scotland's campaign ended early. It wasn't just disappointment at getting beat. It was regret and frustration that we barely laid a glove on our opponents. That's something Clarke is trying to rectify at this World Cup.
New partnership with Shankland
The good news for Adams is that - not only is he still the manager's first-pick at centre-forward - he also looks set to give him a pal to play with. As we gear up for this weekend's Group C opener against Haiti in Boston, it looks certain that Clarke will pair Adams with Lawrence Shankland up top. Added to that, we've got the likes of Ben Gannon-Doak, Ryan Christie and Findlay Curtis in wide areas providing ammunition - just as they did in the Scots' last warm-up game, a 4-0 win over Bolivia.
Adams helped himself to a double in New Jersey and he's excited about Scotland's new-found attacking intent. When asked about his partnership with Shankland and the service they might get in the US, he said: "It's good to play with Lawrence. He's a top player and a top finisher. You never know if it's a partnership that has a future for the whole tournament. It's about who the gaffer puts out there to help the team, to hold the ball and score goals. But I think every striker prefers to play alongside another one. It manages the load a bit more and helps the team press a little bit higher up."
He added: "It was different at the Euros, in terms of me trying to lead the line. But I think throughout qualifying for this World Cup, it's been amazing. We've been more of a threat to the opposition. We're getting good service and you know what you're going to get with those two boys (Christie and Gannon-Doak). Doaky is just direct and gets in behind. He put the first goal on a plate for me. I'm really happy with his performance and the team's performance. He's a bright, positive player with a big future ahead of him. We just need to put him in the right positions and try to help him. We have to guide him but he's a great player and always a threat to the opposition."
Midfield support from McTominay and Ferguson
As well as posing a threat on the flanks, Scotland also have a goalscoring midfielder in Scott McTominay who is at the top of his game. He was also terrific in that Bolivia rout, which must give Clarke and his team-mates huge encouragement going into the tournament proper. Playing in Italy himself, Adams knows the job his Scotland mate does for Napoli. And how he's excited about the partnership he's forming in the middle of the park for his country with Bologna skipper Lewis Ferguson.
Adams said: "Scott will be key for us. Fergie as well, he's a great player who helps balance the midfield. It's a good partnership they've got going on and they help back up the strikers. You know what you're going to get with Scott, he can get into the box and score - we need everyone to do that. After the two years he's had in Napoli, he's full of confidence now and everyone knows how much he can help this team."
Positive mindset for World Cup
Scotland appears to be in a different place mentally going into this tournament compared to two years ago at the Euros. Adams is convinced they're about to attack the World Cup with a new, positive mindset. The 29-year-old said: "The mentality of the players will be important against Haiti, definitely. That mindset is one of the strengths within the squad just now. Everyone is together, more than ever. And that's credit to the boys, the staff and the gaffer."
The mood within the Scottish camp in Charlotte, North Carolina is that they've never been more ready for a tournament. The preparation has been excellent, including the two friendly wins over Curacao and Bolivia. But Haiti in the opener will be a different test and despite their lowly FIFA ranking, Adams has warned against any form of complacency when they face the Caribbean minnows.
The striker - who boasts a record of Scotland never losing when he's on the scoresheet - said: "Haiti is a strong team who have picked up some big results. They lost their last game to two set-pieces so that's something to keep an eye on. But we're well aware of their counter-attack but it's mainly about us and what we can do to hurt them."
