Scotland salvaged a 4-1 win over Curacao at Hampden, thanks to a late surge from Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland. After a quiet first half, Shankland burst into the box, netting two effortless finishes to turn a 1-0 deficit into a three‑goal cushion. The comeback erased doubts over his role, forced manager Steve Clarke to rethink his striker hierarchy, and lifted the fans' spirits.

The match also launched 19‑year‑old Rangers winger Findlay Curtis into the spotlight. Substituted for the injured Billy Gilmour, Curtis arrived, hit the net with both feet within three minutes and earned a penalty that Ryan Christie converted. His fearless runs and crossing gave Scotland a new attacking outlet on the left, a position where options have been scarce all tournament, making him a strong candidate for future starts.

Clarke now faces a clear choice: retain Che Adams as the default starter or elevate Shankland as the go‑to finisher. With Shankland scoring 22 goals in his last 37 outings and delivering when it mattered, the evidence tilts toward a Shankland‑first approach. The next friendly against Bolivia will likely cement the striker hierarchy before the United States opener, and Clarke will likely announce his decision soon.