Scotland squad: Who will be included? Celtic player staking claim, who replaces Hibs ace, John Souttar concern

What a difference a day makes. An uncertain international break has suddenly taken shape for Scotland and will further crystallise when Steve Clarke names his squad on Tuesday for two friendly matches later this month.

Poland will be the first, a friendly replacing the postponed World Cup play-off semi-final with Ukraine. The second is still up in the air and is either an away trip to Austria or Wales – whoever doesn’t win the corresponding semi-final on March 24. That has been the way of this international break until now – one that has hung in the balance.

Although there is clarity emerging, an unknown element remains for Tuesday’s players’ announcement too. Some will be missing, others keen for an opportunity.

In attack, Clarke won’t be calling on Kevin Nisbet, and will be without him for the summer play-off and Nations League games too. The Hibs striker would have been in prime position to add to his 10 caps with two friendly appearances but for the knee injury against Celtic and surgery which will rule him out until next season. Lawrence Shankland has played regularly for Beerschot since the turn of the year, scoring twice, and could replace him, but so could either of the SPFL’s leading Scottish scorers, Tony Watt and Bruce Anderson. They will be friendlies after all, and fit for experimentation.

At the back, goal hero against Denmark John Souttar is struggling with an ankle injury and considered a doubt, while Clarke’s first-choice right-back Nathan Patterson’s match-time at Everton has been well documented since his £12m move south in January. A friendly or two may be ideal opportunity for the 20-year-old to state his case for the summer and more involvement under Frank Lampard. Celtic’s Anthony Ralston, or