Ex-Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton likes the control Billy Gilmour offers
I’ve gone for Ross McCrorie at right-wing-back purely down to the profile of the player that we are missing, whether that is Aaron Hickey or Nathan Patterson.
I think McCrorie is the next best thing. He has had more game time than Ralston of late, and given Scotland’s game plan – being more compact and trying to play on the transition – he has got power to get his team up the pitch. He is the ideal profile.
Neil and ‘Thommo’ have not gone for him, but I have picked Billy Gilmour. I think Steve Clarke needs someone in the middle of that pitch who will take the ball under immense pressure, and he can be trusted.
A lot of them can do that, but Gilmour can be trusted. He is the link player. I have listened to him speak in the build-up about getting composure early, whereas I think Ryan Christie is more about getting at them.
In defence there are a few choices at centre-half, but I have picked Ryan Porteous to keep his place. I think he has been really consistent. Grant Hanley has been injured, but I did not think he looked up to speed when he has come back in. I do not think it would be the worst thing if he missed the first game and built from there.
In attack, it is a bit controversial to start Lawrence Shankland. I do not think that is what Steve Clarke will go for, but it is my preference given the goals and the season he has had. If I wanted a shot to drop to one of our strikers, it would be him.
There has been so much talk about him, but I think he will thrive.