They say hindsight is a wonderful thing, and Scotland midfielder Ben Gannon-Doak is hoping it is a sentiment that rings true this summer.
The Bournemouth winger is part of Steve Clarke’s 26-man World Cup squad, two years after being forced to miss the European Championships.
He was a surprise inclusion in Clarke’s initial selection for Euro 2024, but failure to recover fully from injury meant he missed the cut.
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Scotland embark on their trip to the United States to compete in the World Cup
The 20-year-old was heartbroken to miss the tournament in Germany, but he now believes it could have been a blessing in disguise.
“The Euros probably came a bit too early, but I don’t think I would have played if I was there,” he told Sky Sports News.
“I think if I did go and play, I wouldn’t have given the best account of myself that I know that I could have done.
“I’m much more prepared and ready to go and play in a tournament now than I was back then.”
The Scotland squad are already in the USA preparing for the nation’s first World Cup since 1998.
Gannon-Doak is one of eight members of the Scotland squad who were not born then, while 43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon is likely the only player with real memories of the tournament in France.
“The younger lads like myself and Findlay [Curtis] coming into the team, there’s an element of fearlessness,” he added.
“The experienced lads that have played 70 or 80 games for Scotland, they know how to manage these games. I think it’s a good mix.”
Craig Gordon is set to be the oldest player at this summer’s World Cup
Asked if Scotland can progress beyond the group stage in a major tournament, the former Liverpool player added: “It’s not been done before in terms of Scotland teams, but we’ve got everything we need to go and do it.
“I think when you see the form some of the lads are in, we’re in a good place as a squad.
“If you asked one of the more experienced lads, they’d say the same.”
Scotland’s World Cup squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (TBC), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Tyler Fletcher (Manchester United), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli).
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Rangers), Ross Stewart (Southampton).
