Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says his team selections for this month's friendlies might surprise a few people.

With this summer's World Cup fast approaching, Scotland host Japan at Hampden on Saturday before taking on Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday.

Kilmarnock winger Findlay Curtis - on loan from Rangers - has been handed a first call-up, while Wrexham centre-back Dominic Hyam and Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway have been recalled.

With the likes of Scott McTominay and John McGinn only recently back from injuries, Clarke hinted at opportunities for fringe members of his squad.

"Obviously we've quite a number of players that are maybe coming back from injury or have little niggles at this stage of the season, so some of the selections might raise an eyebrow a little bit.

"Both matches will be important in terms of preparation for the World Cup games.

"For us it's looking at one or two things that are different, looking at one or two different personnel across the squad trying to use as many players as we can and yet get as positive results that we can."

Japan have lost just five of their 39 fixtures since the Qatar World Cup in 2022 and scored 51 goals in their 16 games across the two group stages of Asian qualifying.

Clarke is anticipating a tough test against a team with such a record.

The Japanese squad is without Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo and Monaco's former Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamino - who are both long-term injured - as well as former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, now of Ajax.

However, they are still able to call on the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma, Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka and Celtic forward Daizen Maeda.

"Every game with the national team should be an important game, so they're both important in terms of preparation for the summer, very important," Clarke said.

"To play games against two top quality teams from different continents, they'll bring their own challenge – the Japanese side in particular.

"A very interesting way of playing. I found them a really good team to watch in the preparation for the game, the way they play, the way they approach matches, so it will be tough game for us."

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu was impressed by Scott McTominay's heroics as Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 in November to reach the World Cup.

The Napoli midfielder scored a spectacular overhead kick to open the scoring before Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean also got on the scoresheet on a famous Hampden night.

And while Moriyasu singled out McTominay and Scotland captain Andy Robertson for praise, he expects a tough test against a team of "high intensity".

"Andy Robertson, especially, is a player who plays at the top level and also Scott McTominay," Moriyasu said, via a translator.

"I remember his goal in the World Cup qualifier – an overhead kick which was brilliant.

"But it's not just those two players, Scotland has many players I admire.

"We are competing against a team of World Cup standard. They are very dynamic in defence and offence as well, they play with a high intensity as well.

"So we are looking forward to playing against a team who is of this level.

"In the game, I want to see where we stand in the whole thing and how much we can express our quality.

"It's a pleasure to be here, to play against an opponent who has a long history of football.

"Tomorrow's game is going to be tough but we'd like to work on our tactics before the World Cup."