Scott McTominay doubtful for Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti

Scotland are confident Scott McTominay will be fit to face Haiti on Saturday despite the midfielder sitting out training on Thursday due to a stomach complaint.

McTominay, widely considered Scotland’s most influential player, was a notable absentee as Steve Clarke put his players through their paces for a final time in North Carolina before departing for Boston. There, Scotland will play their first World Cup match in 28 years.

Word from inside the camp is that McTominay did not train as a precaution rather than through genuine fear he could miss the match. Still, an update from Clarke regarding McTominay – and whether any other players have been affected – will form a key part of the manager’s pre-match media duties on Friday. McTominay returned an excellent midfield display as Scotland thumped Bolivia 4-0 on Sunday in their final World Cup warm-up match.

“Hopefully that doesn’t spread,” said McTominay’s fellow midfielder Kenny McLean. “I am sure everybody has fingers crossed that Scott will be fine. Everybody knows what Scott brings. It is quite apparent how big a player he is for us. For all that it has been a team effort [to qualify], and always will be a real team effort, we have special players at the core.

“He is up on a mural for a reason. He is a true talent, a special player, an amazing guy and an amazing part of the team. He is a big character around the place, but it is a team effort and I’m sure Scott would be the first to say that.

“He is desperate to play and his preparations have been amazing apart from maybe something he has eaten somewhere along the line.”

Scotland’s centre-back Scott McKenna has had training minutes managed due to a knock and Jack Hendry and Grant Hanley are the favourites to be deployed in that position against Haiti. “We are fortunate we have looked after ourselves as well as we could and we are as ready as we can be,” said McLean.

“Minutes were spread out over the couple of friendly games and I think everybody is in great shape. The training has been amazing, intense when it has to be, and we cannot complain about the preparations.

“It has always been the case that we push each other and help each other and try to get the best out of each other. That has always happened with every position in this squad.

“The manager picks the squad based on what he is going to get out of everybody and what we are going to get out of each other. Competition for places is strong. Everybody wants the same outcome.”