March 2026 Scotland squad analysis: Midfielders

Steve Clarke has announced his March 2026 Scotland squad, his 1st since qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Specifically using Opta and other metrics as per 17 March 2026 and continuing from part 2; this is part 3 of 4 of the analysis of that squad. This time we look at midfielders.

Ryan Christie

Age	31
Full caps	64
Club	Bournemouth
Club’s division	English 1st
Opta rating of club’s division	90.7
Opta global ranking of club’s division	1st

Christie aggravated an injury playing in that momentous 4-2 win v Denmark in November. Further, his comeback to the Bournemouth 1^st team in late December lasted 17 minutes. However, a 2nd comeback attempt, this time on January 19^th seems better managed. Hence, he has featured in all of Bournemouth’s last 9 games, 8 of which as sub. Similarly to Robertson, potentially Christie’s reduced workload this season could make for a fresh player at the World Cup. 

Lewis Ferguson

Age	26
Full caps	21
Club	Bologna
Club’s division	Italian 1st
Opta rating of club’s division	84.7
Opta global ranking of club’s division	3rd

Despite wearing the captain’s armband when he plays, Lewis Ferguson isn’t an automatic selection in the eyes of Bologna boss, Vincenzo Italiano. Maybe it is squad rotation? Or Italiano’s way of showing he expects more of the player awarded the 2023 midfielder of the year in Italian football? Further, Ferguson this season currently averages 6.7 in Flashscore in Serie A, suggesting much room for Ferguson resurgence. However, since playing versus Celtic in January in the Europa League, Ferguson has started most of Bologna’s games.

Billy Gilmour

Age	24
Full caps	43
Club	Napoli
Club’s division	Italian 1st
Opta rating of club’s division	84.7
Opta global ranking of club’s division	3rd

Gilmour picked up a groin injury versus Como on November 1^st. However, he made his comeback in mid-February. After 2 sub appearances, he started both Napoli’s last 2 games. Additionally, he was most recently rated 7.5, when winning 2-1 at home to Lecce.

However, Scott McTominay and Kevin de Bruyne both subbed on in that game, marking their return from injury. Hence, it remains to be seen if Gilmour keeps that starting spot, in the face of additional midfield competition. Similarly to others in this squad coming back from injury, maybe that injury break will help Gilmour turn out in America in peak condition.

Andy Irving

Age	25
Full caps	1
Club	Sparta Prague
Club’s division	Czech 1st
Opta rating of club’s division	76.0
Opta global ranking of club’s division	23rd

Regardless of what anyone may say about Irving’s footballing abilities, it is hard to argue against that he likes getting about. Specifically, aged 25, he has so far played club football in Scotland, Germany, Austria, England and now Czechia. Since transferring to Prague in the January window, he has played 9 games. Among his generally encouraging stats are 3 assists.

John McGinn

Age	31
Full caps	83
Club	Aston Villa
Club’s division	English 1st
Opta rating of club’s division	90.7
Opta global ranking of club’s division	1st

83 cap McGinn remains hot on Robertson’s heels in the competition to be Scotland’s most capped player. McGinn is yet another midfield player coming back from injury, in his case a month out with a knee issue. However, he has subbed on and subbed off in the 2 games played so far in Villa managing his comeback.

Kenny McLean

Name	Kenny McLean
Age	34
Full caps	54
Club	Norwich City
Club’s division	English 2nd
Opta rating of club’s division	79.8
Opta global ranking of club’s division	9th

As would generally be expected of a club captain, McLean is a regular 1^st team starter at Norwich City this season. Also, he has no recent injury issues. Furthermore, his numbers indicate a player in good form, playing in the Opta 9^th highest ranked division globally. He is on track to make this the 5^th of his 8 seasons at Norwich City in which he has an average rating for his league season of 7.0 or higher.

Scott McTominay

Name	Scott McTominay
Age	29
Club	Napoli
Club’s division	Italian 1st
Opta rating of club’s division	84.7
Opta global ranking of club’s division	3rd

McTominay subbed on at the weekend for his 1^st team comeback, after a month out with tendon inflammation. Otherwise, this is a player with excellent performance numbers for a club who play in very high standard competitions. Similarly to others mentioned above, the mid-season rest for McTominay could potentially be beneficial at the World Cup in June. 

Lennon Miller

Age	19
Full caps	4
Club	Udinese
Club’s division	Italian 1st
Opta rating of club’s division	84.7
Opta global ranking of club’s division	3rd

Miller initially struggled for 1^st team game time after his summer transfer to Italy. However, Miller has played in 12 of Udinese’s last 13 games for the 1^st team. In all 12, he has either subbed on or subbed off, suggesting club management sensibly managing the minutes of a 19 year-old prospect. Udinese fans are not known for the emotional volatility, for which fans elsewhere in Italy are renowned. Hence, Miller’s move to Udinese quietly seems good for his long-term development.