With Steve Clarke’s side set to kick off their campaign against haiti in around a months’ time, one hopeful may have seen his dreak ended

22:13, 12 May 2026Updated 22:16, 12 May 2026

Tommy Conway of Middlesbrough

Tommy Conway appears to now be a major doubt for Scotland’s World Cup campaign after leaving the pitch in tears.

The Middlesbrough forward was forced off in the 73rd minute of their playoff semi-final battle with Southampton.

And Conway was in tears as he was helped off the St Mary’s pitch by the Boro medical staff, knowing his chances of playing at this summer’s finals are now under major threat.

Conway has eight caps for Scotland and was included in the squad that traveled to Germany for Euro 2024.

Steve Clarke submitted a 55-man release list to FIFA this week, which must be whittled sown to 26 by the end of this month.

Conway would have likely been included in the final group, but now there could be a striking spot up for grabs.

Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams and Hearts skipper Lawrence Shankland are almost certain to go, along with Ipswich front man George Hirst.

He helped the Tractor Boys secure an immediate return to the Premier League this season.

Hoping to join him there is Oli McBurnie. Hull have already booked their playoff final spot by beating Alex Neil’s Millwall, with McBurnie bagging 18 goals.

(Image: Getty Images)

He wasn’t included in the last squad to face Japan and Ivory Coast in friendlies back in March.

McBurnie, who hasn’t pulled on the dark blue for five years, admitted he rang Clarke to gauge his chances and was told there were two ahead of him and that the national team boss didn’t see him as a third striker.

He said: “I rang the manager when his last squad was getting announced, just to kind of see his feelings on things.

“He said to me that he builds his squads on loyalty and that Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes have done really well for him.

“So he sees those two ahead of me.

“He doesn’t see me as a third or fourth-choice striker, so he’s comparing me against Che and Lyndon, and he sees them ahead of me.

“Listen, I’d do anything to get back into that Scotland squad.

“I feel like I’m playing as well as I have done in however long, and all I can do is keep performing for Hull and see where it gets me.”

Whether Clarke’s thinking is change should Conway be ruled out remains to be seen.

Southampton’s Ross Stewart could also stake a claim. he netted the leveller on the stroke of half-time against Middlesbrough to cancel out Riley McGree’s early opener.