Che Adams scored twice as Scotland beat Bolivia 4-0 in New Jersey in their final friendly before they begin their World Cup campaign next week.
In sub-zero temperatures at Sports Illustrated Stadium, Steve Clarke’s side raced to a four-goal half-time lead to give themselves a boost of confidence ahead of their first game against Haiti in Boston.
Clarke insisted ahead of the game that the starting spots are still up for grabs ahead of that game but Lawrence Shankland’s goal here – after beating Curacao last week off – will leave Rangers’ new striker hoping to lead the line at Gillette Stadium.
He combined well with Adams, whose brace, after Scott McTominay had doubled Scotland’s lead, came after periods of well-worked play that will leave the Tartan Army dreaming of their side making a real impact on this summer’s competition.
How Scotland caught fire in the New Jersey heat
There was no repeat of the slow start that saw Scotland trailing against Curacao at Hampden last week, with Steve Clarke’s side looking determined to make an early impression.
They really didn’t have to wait long for Shankland’s opener. Ryan Christie picked out Andy Robertson’s run down the left flank and his floating cross was met by the 30-year-old, who stripped off his marker to head the ball past Guillermo Viscarra in the Bolivian goal.
McTominay and Shankland scored in the first half
Adams almost got the Scots’ hot second but Viscarra was able to curl his low effort wide of the goal.
Clarke revealed before the game that Shankland and Adams had been working on a potential partnership in the build-up to the friendly and the pair were reunited after 20 minutes. The goalscorer almost turned provider but Adams’ well-taken effort from the edge of the box flew wide of the post.
Scotland made it 2-0 a few minutes later, however, Shankland this time getting his assist, cutting down in the box to McTominay whose effort went past Viscarra who should have done better.
Adams drove for Scotland against Bolivia
Angus Gunn was called into action for the first time in the game when he made a comfortable save from Robson Matheus but that did not deter Scotland at the other end as they extended their lead on the half hour mark.
Bolivia’s defense left Ben Gannon-Doak in acres of space and the Bournemouth defender used his pace to beat the line before laying a low ball into the path of Adams who found the net from six yards.
Viscarra then did well to deny Gannon-Doak with a powerful effort after cutting inside at speed, before Robertson headed over the bar from close range, but Scotland were not to be denied for long.
McTominay and the Scotland players cool off during the break against Bolivia
Gannon-Doak was clearly delighted, his pace causing the Bolivians all sorts of problems. He left the defenders behind after a powerful run inside his own half before finding Adams who fired the ball into the bottom corner at the second attempt.
Clarke opted to make just two changes at half-time with John McGinn and Kieran Tierney replacing Robertson and Christie but there was no spreading Scotland attack as McTominay went close again as his side forced a series of early corners.
Gunn was called into action to stop Bolivia as Scotland began to falter in the heat, but it was Clarke’s side who should have scored again.
Ben Gannon-Doak was instrumental in Scotland’s victory over Bolivia
McTominay picked out Tierney whose balanced pass found Shankland’s run at the near post, but he couldn’t get his effort on target, much to his chagrin.
The game ended with a series of game-breaking changes. George Hirst should have scored a fifth as the clock wound down, however, he managed to shoot his effort wide.
There were no goals in the second half for Scotland but Clarke will be delighted with the opening 45 minutes which leaves his players fit for the country’s first World Cup match in 28 years next week.
