Predicted Scotland XI for Gibraltar as Ryan Jack set for shock start as big guns given a rest

It's a big week for Scotland as preparations for Euro 2024 continue with two final friendlies.

First up for Steve Clarke and his troops is a clash on the road against minnows Gibraltar as they look to put a win under their belts and end the winless run of seven before taking on Finland later this week. The Dark Blues have been together for a number of days now and getting down to hard work on the training pitch. The eyes of the world will be on the national team for the tournament opener with Germany but the Tartan Army have already been dealt a major blow in camp with Lyndon Dykes' training ground injury ruling him out.

It leaves boss Clarke with a decision to make after originally naming a 28-man squad, that will be reduced to 26. However, the loss of the striker may force the manager to make a plan shuffle. The injury woes meant we already lost Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson at right-back with Anthony Ralston and Ross McCrorie in the squad and ready to step up and play huge roles. Lewis Ferguson is also on the sidelines and would have been a cert to make the squad. Tonight's encounter will see a much-changed team so there will be no real indicators for that opening match next Friday night. Minutes are on the agenda with a number of players in the squad needing crucial game time.

Scott McTominay, Stuart Armstrong and John Souttar have niggles that will keep them out of the tune-up against Gibraltar while youngster Ben Doak is being eased back after his time out and is likely to taste his minutes from the bench. Clarke may well be tempted to keep a number of his big guns like John McGinn, Kieran Tierney in reserve with Finland to come later in the week.

Speaking ahead of the game, Clarke has said: “For the two