Hibs hopeful ‘definitely in mix’ for World Cup spot as Scotland coach details training base search
Hibs hopeful ‘definitely in mix’ for World Cup spot as Scotland coach details training base search.
‘He is not young, but he is immature in the number of games he has played.’ Kieron Bowie will “definitely be in the mix” for a spot on Scotland’s World Cup roster, according to national team assistant coach Steven Naismith.
The Hibs striker is one of several players on the margins of Steve Clarke’s team who are aiming to earn a spot on the plane to the United States next summer.
Naismith, who returned to the Scotland coaching staff in August to replace John Carver, has been impressed by the 23-year-old’s performances for Hibernian this season.
Bowie, who made his Scotland debut in June and has two caps, scored his eighth goal of the season in a 3-2 victory over Hearts at Easter Road on Saturday.
“He’ll definitely be in the mix,” Naismith remarked during William Hill’s The Warm-Up. “He’s been in a couple squads throughout the campaigns, but the competition is tough.
“His postgame interview was great. He was talking about how he had a drop in form, but to me, he’s still an immature main striker who is still trying to find his way to being Hibs’ main man. “If you look at the squad, the national team is perhaps the most competitive it has been in a long time.
Even Oli McBurnie, who is now doing exceptionally well in the Championship, finds it difficult to be the main striker.
“He isn’t young, but he is immature in terms of the number of games he has played. When he was at Northampton, he mostly played on the left side.
So, I believe he’s still finding his feet.”You will always be judged on goals, and if you go a few games without scoring, people will take notice. But his performances…
I believe he’s unique. He’s an excellent target man who can hold off and make defenders uncomfortable. He is a good finisher, as demonstrated on Saturday.
“He’s in the mindset where he attempted one from the halfway line on Saturday. He scored the one in Europe early on, when he instinctively turns, recognises an opportunity, and seizes it.
So he has the craft as a forward; all he needs to do now is learn. The more he does it, the better he’ll get at doing the correct thing.
Naismith also disclosed that he was part of a Scottish delegation that visited the United States before Christmas to look into potential World Cup training grounds. Scotland is in Group C, and will play Haiti and Morocco in Boston before meeting Brazil in Miami.
“It was good,” Naismith said. “Preparation has begun. I believe that travel will be the most significant aspect of the tournament.
Some of the trip will be rather extensive, but everyone is in the same boat. “It wasn’t a happy occasion.
The draw occurred, and you knew the region you were in, but that region is vast no matter where you are. We were researching base camps to find the greatest fit.
There were several places. 11 or 12 states at various base camps, because that will be a huge part of it.
I believe that most games will require you to fly into them. We have two games in Boston; ideally, you want to be as close to Boston as possible, but due to the size of the area and amenities, you’ll most likely be a little further away.”
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