Before the night concluded in New Jersey, it was clear that Scotland’s preparations since arriving in the U.S. had truly paid off.
With just a week remaining until they face Haiti in Boston, this final match against Bolivia offered immense optimism for the challenges ahead.
Scotland dominated the field with a stunning display full of speed, skill, and offensive prowess that overwhelmed the Bolivians.
It would be remarkably unfair if those who started this match weren’t given the chance to kick off the group stage.
Particularly impressive were the performances of Ben Gannon-Doak and Che Adams.
Che Adams scores Scotland’s third goal in the 4-0 victory over Bolivia in New Jersey
Scott McTominay scored the Scots’ second goal in a wonderful first-half display
Gannon-Doak, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with, causing havoc for Bolivia with his electrifying runs up the right wing.
Adams hasn’t always been worthy of the loyalty Clarke has shown him, but not here. Notwithstanding the two goals he scored, his movement and work-rate were of the highest order.
They were the star men in a collective display which was full of them. Lawrence Shankland scored again and offered so much more.
Everywhere you looked, Scotland players excelled. The midfield complemented each other to perfection. The defence was solid, diligent and assured.
This may have been a friendly, but it was a show to get the blood pumping.
If the same level can be reached in Boston next weekend, Haiti will do well to spoil the party.
The fact that Scotland got through the exercise without sustaining any injuries put the tin lid on a memorable evening.
It was 33 degrees inside the Red Bull Arena although a breeze made the conditions a little more manageable.
Ranked 76th in the world, Bolivia are 33 places below Clarke’s side. It was, therefore, a match Scotland expected to win. But not in this manner. And certainly not by this margin.
Shaping with a 4-4-2, Clarke made six changes from the side which started against Curacao.
Ben Gannon-Doak posed all sorts of problems to the Bolivian defence
Scotland boss Steve Clarke had plenty to smile about as his side cruised to victory
Angus Gunn was given his chance in goal with Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry stationed directly in front of him.
Lewis Ferguson was deployed in the holding role, with Scott McTominay restored ahead of him. Adams partnered Shankland.
Gunn was in the unusual position of having played five times for his country last season and just once for Nottingham Forest. It was only natural to question his sharpness, but there didn’t appear to be any ring rust. His reflexes and his kicking were on point.
Although Andy Robertson and Aaron Hickey are nailed on to start against Haiti, the central pairing is up for debate. Or maybe it was.
Hanley and Hendry scarcely put a foot wrong here. Composed when they needed to be, they put the bodies on the line on the rare occasion that the South Americans threatened.
Their display probably ensured Scott McKenna and John Souttar will be stationed on the bench next week.
Ferguson would probably have been in contention to start in Boston even if Billy Gilmour hadn’t got injured.
It now seems almost too close to call between him and Kenny McLean. Maybe McLean’s greater experience wins the day? But you’d have absolutely no concerns if the Bologna man gets the nod. He was outstanding.
Ryan Christie started on the left. The issue Clarke has is where to accommodate him if, as expected, John McGinn starts against Haiti.
The manager will probably spend the next week working out how to get Christie into the side. A ball of guile and energy, he had a hand in the first two goals.
Gannon-Doak had looked short of minutes against Curacao. This was the Bournemouth winger’s chance to make a point. It’s fair to say he made it.
His first touch was sound, his decision-making was rarely wrong. You almost pitied the Bolivia players who tried a tag-team approach to nullifying his threat.
Findlay Curtis was terrific when he came on at Hampden last weekend. On this evidence, though, Gannon-Doak starts.
Lawrence Shankland is hailed for breaking the deadlock as Scotland breezed past Bolivia
Shankland is surely one of the first names on the team sheet next week. The only question appears to be who’s up alongside him.
Clarke’s first choice not so long ago, this was Adams’ opportunity to stake a claim. A display bursting with intent and intelligence made a compelling case. He scored two and might have had more.
In their salmon pink change strip, Scotland started superbly. They moved the ball with purpose, snapped into tackles and worked like dervishes.
They were deservedly ahead inside five minutes. It stemmed from a surge up the left. Robertson picked out Christie who paused and assessed his options. The best of them was Robertson’s overlapping run.
The skipper stood the ball up at the far post. Shankland made short work of a difficult header and made it three goals in two games. His form going into the World Cup could not be hotter.
Scotland could have been two up before Bolivia knew what hit them.
Adams hit the target from the edge of the box. The Bolivia keeper fumbled it and grasped it at the second opportunity. Seconds later, the Torino man sent another strike fizzing narrowly wide.
Every time Clarke’s side advanced, they looked a threat. You sensed the second goal was only a matter of time.
It arrived at the midway point in the first half. Christie rolled the ball across the edge of the area. Shankland showed awareness to lay the ball into McTominay’s path.
Shankland (centre) takes the plaudits from Gannon-Doak in Scotland’s World Cip warm-up win
The strike from the Napoli man wasn’t the cleanest, but it had direction. Guillermo Viscarra in the Bolivia goal was none too clever. Not that anyone on the Scotland bench was complaining.
An outstanding first half display was rewarded with a third goal. Gannon-Doak’s pace down the right tormented Bolivia. His crossing had let him down last week but not here. Adams swept the ball home from six yards.
The scoreline was already surreal. It was soon to become even more so.
Gannon-Doak stepped onto another loose ball inside his own half and seemed to have jets attached to his heels as he sped away.
Adams did well to remain in shot and receive the pass. His first effort was blocked, his second took a deflection and beat the keeper. This was extraordinary.
John McGinn and Kieran Tierney were given the second half. Curtis, Anthony Ralston, George Hirst, Ross Stewart and McLean were subsequently introduced, with late run-outs given to Dom Hyam, Souttar and Tyler Fletcher.
Shankland was inches away from making it five, but he steered Tierney’s cross narrowly wide. Hirst went close late on.
The multiple changes did upset the side’s rhythm and the torrent of goals did dry up.
But this was a dream dress rehearsal for all concerned. Scotland will march on Boston feeling 10 feet tall.
