Ben Gannon-Doak's Return Ignites Scotland's Attack

The return of Ben Gannon-Doak to Scotland's starting lineup provided a significant boost in their 2-0 Nations League win over North Macedonia. Gannon-Doak's absence had been a key talking point in the initial matches under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, with the winger starting on the bench in previous games.

In the crucial match in Skopje, Gannon-Doak was deployed from the outset. His performance down the right flank proved disruptive, causing considerable trouble for North Macedonia's left wing-back, Sebastian Herrera, who was substituted after just half an hour. Gannon-Doak relentlessly received the ball and, despite occasional inconsistency in his final delivery, consistently created problems for the opposition.

Gannon-Doak was also involved in a contentious moment in the second half when he went down in the box. The on-field penalty award was ultimately overturned after a VAR review.

Even when asked to play in the unfamiliar role of right wing-back, the 20-year-old demonstrated electric energy. The article suggests that overlooking Gannon-Doak, who is considered Scotland's most dangerous player, would be counter-productive.

Despite limited game time at club level with Bournemouth, Gannon-Doak's talent provides an "X-factor" for the national team. This raises questions for Pocognoli regarding player selection for upcoming Euro qualifiers, particularly if Gannon-Doak remains a bit-part player for his club.

Looking ahead, the challenge for Pocognoli will be to adapt the team's system to maximize Gannon-Doak's abilities. While his versatility was effective against North Macedonia due to Scotland's dominance, playing out of position could be a defensive liability against stronger opponents. Building the system around Gannon-Doak's strengths as a right winger is presented as key to unlocking Scotland's full attacking potential.