Tommy Conway Pursues Scotland World Cup Dream: “I Had to Be Here”
Tommy Conway is back in Scotland camp and aiming to force his way into Steve Clarke’s World Cup plans. The 23-year-old Middlesbrough forward has six international caps. He was an unused member of the Euro 2024 squad in Germany.
Motivation from missed opportunity
Conway missed the quick-fire 2026 qualifiers last year. Scotland sealed a memorable 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park to qualify. He watched that match at home with his father and said the sight of the celebrations fueled him.
Conway has spoken about needing to be part of the March camp to have a real chance of making the finals. He called the experience a driving force and summed it up with a simple line. “I had to be here”.
Club form and recent transfer
Conway moved from Bristol City in August 2024. The reported fee was £4.5 million. He now plays under Kim Hellberg at Middlesbrough.
He has scored eight times in the Championship this season. Middlesbrough sit nine points behind leaders Coventry. Conway last played for Clarke in June 2025 and missed the subsequent three camps.
World Cup ambitions
Conway has set personal targets since November. He used missing a previous camp as extra motivation. His immediate goal is to make the World Cup squad and then fight for playing time in the tournament.
Scotland World Cup fixtures
- Haiti vs Scotland — June 14, Boston, 2am (UK time)
- Scotland vs Morocco — June 19, Boston, 11pm (UK time)
- Scotland vs Brazil — June 24, Miami, 11pm (UK time)
Scotland squad
- Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers)
- Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)
- Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese)
- Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich)
Coaching perspective
Assistant coach Steven Naismith described the squad as capable of creating history. Naismith has 51 Scotland caps and joined Clarke’s coaching staff in 2021.
He said the aim is not only to reach the finals. The team wants to progress from the group stage. He highlighted the presence of experienced leaders playing at big clubs.
Conway’s focus is clear. He wants to turn this recall into World Cup minutes. Filmogaz.com will follow his progress as squads are finalised.
