World Cup: Lawrence Shankland and Findlay Curtis move on – Will Steve Clarke react?

For an hour at Hampden, Lawrence Shankland was a fringe figure for George Hirst – Scotland’s number nine – in a supporting act and was reduced as a result.

Shankland runs everywhere apart from where he is most effective. He dropped deep and ran, sacrificing himself to let Hirst lead the line.

It was on the brink of a nervous farewell to Hampden before the team head to the United States on Sunday.

That will certainly change, and thank goodness. Shankland pushed on, occupying more dangerous positions and, surprise, surprise, scored and scored again. Two chances and two beautiful finishes.

Shankland is Steve Clarke’s most prolific striker with little goal. Hopefully the message gets through.

Che Adams doesn’t start big games. We are now firmly in the Shankland era. He’s what they need in America in a do-or-die moment, a chance to keep Scotland in the competition.

The new Rangers striker turned 2-1, then 3-1, on a tiring day against 10 men from Curacao – ranked 82 in the world – into something completely relished.

Until those times, Scotland was in mortal danger of sending them on their way with a collective shout, a message of farewell and joy from the Tartan Army as they prepared to leave.

Eventually, striker Jurgen Locadio was sent off in the 38th minute after elbowing Aaron Hickey. That was the turning point.

Scotland were also struggling as Curacao led 1-0 at the time. The stadium looked like a morgue. It wasn’t meant to be.

Locadio converted his team’s chances and set the stage for Scotland’s comeback. No one wanted this, not Curacao or Clark.