You are Scotland head coach Clarke… what would you do?

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Published3 hours ago

It may seem like a lifetime ago since Scotland's men sealed qualification for their first World Cup finals since 1998, but now the build-up begins in earnest.

The first of three confirmed warm-ups takes place on Saturday as fellow finalists Japan come to Hampden Park.

Steve Clarke has named his squad for those friendlies, but four months have passed since Scotland last played, so form and fitness will have fluctuated in that time.

How the head coach might approach it is anyone's guess, but what would you do if you were him?

Choose your XI and formation

The squad is largely settled, albeit teenage winger Findlay Curtis gets a maiden call after prospering at Kilmarnock on loan from Rangers.

Billy Gilmour, Tommy Conway, Dominic Hyam, Ross McCrorie and Nathan Patterson have been restored, with Aaron Hickey, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lawrence Shankland and Craig Gordon among those missing out through injury.

So is this the time to experiment, or is it a case of adding caps to an experienced bunch and valuable game time for a few regulars who are not starting at their clubs?

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Pick your Scotland XI

Pick your Scotland XI for the match against Japan.Selected formation: 4-3-3, Change formationChoose goalkeeperChoose right backChoose right centre backChoose left centre backChoose left backChoose right centre midfieldChoose centre midfieldChoose left centre midfieldChoose right wingChoose strikeChoose left wing

How would you approach the game?

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Deliver your team talk

Of course, it's not just about the formation and how Scotland approach it against a side ranked 19th in the world - 19 places above Clarke's men.

Japan are a high-energy team, who qualified for the World Cup with three games to spare and came from 2-0 down to beat Brazil in a friendly in October.

The visitors may rest players for their trip to face England at Wembley a few days later, but this represents a tough test for Scotland.

So what would your message be for the players?