Who Can Solve Scotland's Wide Problem?
Kai Watson 
After the horrendous 3-0 defeat to Greece a lot of scrutiny was put on not only the squad selection but also their shape.
Favourites with betting sites after a 1-0 first leg win, Scotland were unable to get the job done on home soil.
The lack of any type of natural width and pace was apparent, especially when compared to the dynamism of the young Greek side going forward. Ryan Christie was played out on the right when he’s been so good centrally and deeper for Bournemouth this season.
John McGinn was also playing from the left when he mostly either plays from the right or centrally for Aston Villa. The lack of Ben Doak and his direct attacking approach really impacted Scotland’s attacking threat.
So I thought I’d take a look at some potential wide options for future squads. I didn’t include someone like Harvey Barnes because, although eligible, I highly doubt he would get involved in the Scotland setup now.
There’s a massive lack of wingers currently ready to make the step but some encouraging players are coming through at U19/U21 level.
The truth is that you never know if a player is ready until you throw them in, which is exactly what happened with Ben Doak.
Doak is now a player that Scotland sorely miss when he was even close to the squad a year ago. All it takes is an opportunity for a player to turn themselves into a key part of the team.
So let’s look at five potential options for either wing position.
Adedire Mebude
This would just be a straight call up from the U21s to the senior side. Currently at Hamburg on loan from KVC Westerlo, he’s a quick and direct winger that likes to press aggressively.
I definitely feel like he could work in the system that Steve Clarke is trying to run. He’s perhaps not hit the heights expected of him so far in his career but this loan at Hamburg is the chance to prove himself.
It’s a step up, for sure, but as previously mentioned, you never really know if a player is ready till they're given the chance.
Rob Apter
Apter is a technical right winger, who is a good creator and passer of the ball. He earned plaudits and won League Two Player of the Season at Tranmere last season and is now a regular for Blackpool in League One.
He’s played for Scotland at U19 and U21 level and offers something different being left footed playing from the right.
Again it's a big step up but I definitely feel he’s shown he’s capable of playing above League One and seems to be consistently improving.
Emilio Lawrence
Lawrence is a top prospect at Manchester City and the left winger has been in and around the Scotland U21 set up.
Other nations aren’t afraid to call up young players and he’s been thriving in the PL2 this season. In 17 appearances he’s scored seven goals and gotten five assists, all in 1429 minutes.
Prospects like Lawrence could have the same impact as Ben Doak, if given the chance.
Lewis Morgan
Morgan was another that was unfortunately injured this time round but he still isn’t always in the picture at international level.
Last season he had 13G/5A in 34 MLS appearances for the NY Red Bulls. He can play on either side and is a goalscoring threat, something you can never have too much of.
Now 28-years-old he should be looking to add to the seven caps he has already.
Karamoko Dembélé
Dembele is a player that all Scottish football fans are aware of. He was in and around the Celtic first team since 15/16 years old and they had massive hopes for him.
The diminutive winger moved to Brest and it hasn’t really worked out. A highly successful loan spell at Blackpool last season in League One got him a loan move which will become permanent to QPR.
He’s an excellent creator with great close control and has shown he’s capable in the English Championship.
This is perhaps a rogue shout given that he left the Scotland U18 set up to join England’s but he spent around 18 of his 22 years in Scotland and we’ve never needed wingers more.
Could that be enough to tempt his back into the Scotland set up?
As mentioned from the outset, Scotland aren’t currently blessed with a plethora of wide options. However, playing actual wingers is better than playing central midfielders out of position.
Would you like to see any of these five in the next Scotland squad? Let us know!
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