As Scotland questions mount, is Conway one of the answers?

Scotland were spurning chance aft chance successful nan Portuguese sunshine against Gibraltar and starting to fret astir nan imaginable of a stalemate pinch nan 203rd champion squad successful nan world.

Meanwhile, 2,500-odd miles distant astatine nan different extremity of Europe, Tommy Conway was directing a good header into nan nett for nan country's under-21 broadside against Turkey.

The juxtoposition did not flight nan attraction of galore Scotland fans.

Ryan Christie and Che Adams did yet find nan nett successful Faro, but pinch Steve Clarke’s striking options dented by nan nonaccomplishment of Lyndon Dykes to wounded could Bristol City's Conway beryllium called arsenic nan cavalry earlier nan Euro 2024 opener pinch Germany?

Clarke has ne'er been 1 to divulge his thoughts excessively openly, but erstwhile told Conway had scored successful a friends conclusion successful Istanbul, his consequence was enlightening.

"I'll person a small deliberation astir it. I'll person a chat pinch my unit and return it from there," nan Scotland caput coach told BBC Scotland.

"Tommy's done awesome and he's surely 1 that's astatine nan beforehand of my mind."

With 12 goals this campaign, an awesome beingness profile, and a bully estimation from nan younker teams, it is easy to spot why Conway has travel into view.

With Dykes hobbled by an ankle injury, nan opportunity is location for someone.

After scoring 32 goals successful each competitions for Hearts this season, Scottish Premiership apical scorer Lawrence Shankland seems to beryllium nan people’s choice.

Clarke told Premier Sports he was hopeful nan lethal striker could drawback a mates successful nan Algarve, but Shankland was uncharacteristically quiet.

The different action is Southampton guardant Adams, backmost successful nan Premier League aft a successful second-tier stint. Back successful nan world goals now, too.

Scotland passed up countless large opportunities arsenic they endeavoured to extremity a seven-game winless tally and Clarke acknowledged specified openings will beryllium scarce against Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.

"What we learned is that we tin create chances and we conscionable request to find nan last finish," nan head told BBC Scotland.

"We request to activity connected it successful training and their assurance successful position of finishing.

"When it comes to Che Adams - bang, goal. That's nan benignant of assurance you request to show astatine this level."

As Scotland hole to for a measurement up successful some value of guidance and size of occasion, these moments will apt beryllium decisive. Clarke knows it.

As does erstwhile Scotland world and Sportsound pundit Willie Miller, who believes nan head has been near pinch a reliable decision.

"For nan opening game, who does he spell with?" nan erstwhile Scotland defender asked.

"You're looking for Shankland to score, but Adams has done what a striker needs to do."

Only 7 teams successful nan world are classed little than Gibraltar, making this a seemingly cleanable opportunity to get a glimpse of Scotland’s astir breathtaking guardant action successful nan roster.

But Ben Doak was conspicuous by his absence contempt insisting astatine nan play he was fresh to play.

Clarke revealed nan lightning-quick Liverpool winger had a "reaction" to 2 days' worthy of training.

For an 18-year-old who has not played competitively since December, it is hardly encouraging.

Elsewhere, Scotland's wounded woes intensified arsenic Liam Cooper trudged disconnected successful pain.

And pinch nan 2 first-choice right-backs sidelined, Ross McCrorie flattered to deceive arsenic he looked to liking his declare for nan berth against Celtic's Anthony Ralston.

The build-up to Euro 2024 was ne'er going to beryllium plain sailing but arsenic that showpiece opening crippled successful nan Allianz Arena draws nearer and nearer, location are scores of questions to answer.