Lawrence Shankland bags a brace as Scotland hit back to beat 10-man Curacao

Lawrence Shankland staked his claim for a World Cup start with a brace in Scotland’s 4-1 friendly win against 10-man Curacao at Barclays Hampden.

Steve Clarke utilised his squad as promised with several regulars rested but the visitors, managed by 78-year-old former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, took the lead in the 17th minute through a fine Tahith Chong goal.

Curacao striker Jurgen Locadia was sent off a for a late challenge on Scotland defender Aaron Hickey in the 37th minute, following a VAR intervention.

The departure of injured midfielder Billy Gilmour just before the break caused concern for the Tartan Army but replacement Findlay Curtis soon levelled with a drive, his first goal for the national team in his second appearance.

Shankland, who will join Curtis at Rangers next season after his move from Hearts was recently confirmed, struck twice in five minutes early in the second half before Ryan Christie added a fourth from the spot, giving the Scots their first home friendly win in 10 years.

Scotland’s final warm-up game is against Bolivia in New Jersey next Saturday before they return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998, with section rivals Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in wait in the United States.

Hearts’ 43-year-old keeper Craig Gordon, who had recovered from a shoulder injury which had kept him out since January, started in a strong line-up albeit Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Kieran Tierney and Ross Stewart were absent.

Dundee’s 22-year-old centre-back Luke Graham, Hearts’ forward James Wilson, 19, and 19-year-old Manchester United midfielder Tyler Fletcher, 19 – son of former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher – were on the bench despite not being included in the World