Scotland conclude World Cup preparations with dominant win over Bolivia

Scotland will make their long-awaited return to the World Cup in confident mood following a convincing 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia in New Jersey.

In a far from packed Sports Illustrated stadium in hot and humid conditions, Lawrence Shankland struck with a fine header in the fifth minute, then set up midfielder Scott McTominay for a well-worked second in the 20th minute before Che Adams added two more before the break.

Unsurprisingly, boss Steve Clarke made numerous second-half substitutions, but Scotland remained in control and on top of a 4-1 win over Curacao at Barclays Hampden last weekend, his side have hit the goal trail in time for their opener against Haiti next Saturday in Foxborough – Scotland’s first game in the World Cup since 1998.

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There should be some caution attached to the optimism as the South Americans demonstrated why they are FIFA-ranked 76 to Scotland’s 43, but nevertheless the Tartan Army are entitled to enjoy added positivity as they look forward to seeing their side back on the big stage.

The Scots took little time to forge ahead. Skipper Andy Robertson and Ryan Christie worked the ball down the left and when the Scots skipper stood up a cross to the back post, Shankland headed high past Guillermo Viscarra.

Moments later, the Bolivia keeper nervously spilled a shot from striker Adams but the ball fell kindly for the South Americans and they survived, as they did when the Torino striker took a pass from Shankland in the 20th minute and fired just wide from the edge of the box.

However, Bolivia could not hold out for much longer and when Shankland set up McTominay at the edge of the box, the Napoli midfielder rifled the ball