How does Scotland’s squad look after injuries to key players?

Steve Clarke is surely watching every match involving one of his Scottish players through his fingers from behind the sofa at the moment.

Last week, Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson underwent knee surgery, while Everton right-back Nathan Patterson and Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong will miss the rest of the club’s season.

Patterson needs surgery on a hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea last week, which is a major doubt for Euro 2024 this summer.

Brentford full-back Aaron Hickey has not played since October, meaning the right side of the defense looks very vulnerable. This is the main area of ​​concern, with the potential for a full-blown crisis situation.

There was at least some good news about Armstrong on Monday, with Southampton manager Russell Martin saying he had a “good chance” of making the squad as his thigh injury was not as serious as initially feared.

Hickey is undoubtedly Clarke’s first choice right-back for Scotland, but he has not played for seven months after also suffering a hamstring injury at Stamford Bridge.

Brentford’s head of player development, Stephen Pressley, says Hickey is making “good progress” and “gives him a real chance” as he looks to recover in time for the European Championship.

However, even if he is fit, it will be difficult to get the 21-year-old back into the lineup for the opening match of the tournament against hosts Germany.

Who else could Clark turn to?

Anthony Ralston has featured regularly for Scotland’s squads, but is not Celtic’s first choice, while Bristol City’s Ross McCrory – formerly of Aberdeen – was recently called up.

Sturm Graz’s Max Johnston has settled in Austria well since leaving Motherwell and was called up to the first team from the Under-21s for the friendly against France last year.

Another option for Clarke is to try to tempt someone like Tino Livramento – who has featured prominently for Newcastle United this season – to declare for Scotland.

The 21-year-old has been capped by England at youth level, but qualified for Scotland through his mother.

Archie Gray, the central midfielder who has played at right-back this season, is a star in the making and has clear links with Scotland, with his father Andy, grandfather Frank and uncle Eddie all international players.

However, he was called up by the England Under-21 squad during the recent international window and said it was his “dream” to play for the country of his birth.

As a striker, what about Danny Armstrong, who played as a right-back for Kilmarnock for most of the season and was prolific in terms of assists? Louis Mayo has played there with Kelly as well this season and would be a more defensive option.

There are fewer problems for Clarke, in other parts of his team at least.

Craig Gordon, Zander Clarke and Angus Gunn look likely to be Germany’s three goalkeepers, with Motherwell’s Liam Kelly looking like the favourite.

Clarke’s impressive options will also be on display, with Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland offering different qualities up front.

Kevin Nisbet’s 2024 has been ruined by injury, but he is back on the bench for Millwall, and if he can score some goals in the next few weeks, it will give Clarke something to think about.

Jacob Brown has been a regular in Clarke’s teams, but he could be the odd man out when it comes to crunch time, unless the number of Euro 2024 squads is increased from 23 to 26.

Right-back aside, the defense has plenty of options – but two of Clarke’s favorite players could give the manager sleepless nights.

Scott McKenna and Grant Hanley missed the defeats to the Netherlands and Northern Ireland last March, and time is running out for them.

Hanley is set to return to Norwich training this week while McKenna has at least featured for Copenhagen since those friendly matches.

Leeds United’s Liam Cooper, Al-Ettifaq’s Jack Hendry, Watford’s Ryan Porteous and Rangers’ John Souttar plus the versatile Kieran Tierney means Clarke will not feel pressure to bring in McKenna or Hanley if they are not fully fit.

At left-back, Tierney and captain Andy Robertson could be joined by Celtic’s Greg Taylor.

An area that Clarke has always been able to rely on during his tenure has been the heart of midfield, and it remains Scotland’s strongest group despite question marks over Ferguson and Armstrong.

Even if those two are ruled out, he would still be able to call on the likes of Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Scott McTominay and Kenny McLean.

Ryan Christie floats between there and the offensive line, and if Clarke is to drop any surprises on his team, it could be in strengthening that role.

Could Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson finally decide to join Scotland, with the lure of the European Championship looming on the horizon? Or what about teammate Harvey Barnes, who is also eligible to play for Scotland?

Clarke may relish having them as options, but what he may relish more is his key men avoiding injury between now and June – as well as Hickey and Patterson recovering quickly.