Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Scotland Team Page

Squad

Coach: Archie Gemmill

Roster

Goalkeepers: Scott Fox, Greg Kelly, Andrew McNeil

Defenders: Andrew Cave-Brown, Andrew Considine, Scott Cuthbert, Garry Kenneth, Alan Lowing, Ryan O'Leary, Mark Reynolds, Lee Wallace

Midfielders: Jamie Adams, Ryan Conroy, Brian Gilmour, Michael McGlinchey

Forwards: Ross Campbell, Graham Dorrans, Calum Elliot, Steven Fletcher, Sean Lynch, Robert Snodgrass

Scouting Report

Strengths: Scotland is not lacking for confidence after reaching the final of the European qualifiers. Scotland is also playing its first-round games in Burnaby and Victoria, and should receive plenty of support from the cities' significant population of Scottish expatriates. Archie Gemmill is one of the greatest Scottish players of all-time and the colourful coach should have no trouble motivating his players who have a never-say-die attitude and can run for days.

Weaknesses: Scotland's lack of experience may hurt them, as it's been 20 years since they qualified for this tournament. The team has already been dubbed the "golden generation" by the Scottish media following its miraculous qualifying campaign, but that tag could prove to be premature and put undue pressure on the young Scots. Scotland also plays a physical brand of soccer that, quite often, draws a lot of yellow cards and leads to player suspensions.

Player to watch: Scott Cuthbert was named Scotland's captain prior to last year's European U-19 Championship and he didn't disappoint – his commanding and influential defensive performances saw him voted one of the tournament's top ten players. Cuthbert is strong in the air but also quick on the ground, and plays with a level of composure expected of a captain.

Prognosis: Keep your eye on Scotland, because it could be one of the sleeper teams in this tournament. The Scots stunned the European soccer community when it brushed aside Turkey, the Czech Republic and en route to reaching the finals of last year's UEFA U-19 Championship. Gemmill's team combines physical grit and creative sophistication, and the coach prides himself on the fitness of his players. Scotland's fearless attitude and self belief will help carry them out of the opening group stage and into the second round, and don't be surprised if they win their group ahead of African powerhouse Nigeria. A quarter-final appearance wouldn't be all that surprising.