Quite what Scotland have done to anger the football gods at Euro 2020 is anyone's guess.
Kenny McLean, Oli McBurnie and Ryan Jack ruled out entirely by injury, John Fleck testing positive for Covid-19 in the build-up, Kieran Tierney missing against England and now Billy Gilmour has become the second player in the squad to contract the virus.
The Chelsea midfielder thrilled at Wembley last Friday and looked a certainty to keep his place alongside Callum McGregor and John McGinn in a midfield triumvirate to which England had no answer.
The latter two are unlikely to lose their places, but who takes Gilmour's?
His absence has forced Steve Clarke into a last-minute rethink ahead of Tuesday's all or nothing clash with Croatia at Hampden.
Scotland need to win to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stage and Clarke faces a puzzler in making the right midfield adjustment.
Here are the options at the manager's disposal.
Scott McTominay
Perhaps the most obvious choice, the Manchester United midfielder could easily step back into his midfield role and partner Callum McGregor.
McTominay was a standout for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last term and despite a shaky opening day performance against the Czech Republic, would represent a safe option in the engine room.
The only thing playing on the manager's mind is breaking up the central defensive trio of McTominay, Grant Hanley and Tierney which proved so effective against England.
Stuart Armstrong
Armstrong started against the Czechs on a day where Scotland as a whole didn't really get going.
But his impact at Wembley was positive as he imposed his running power on a lacklustre England midfield and he would certainly add an attacking impetus for a fixture in which Scotland simply must score.
However, the Southampton star is markedly different from Gilmour and further adjustments would be required to fit him in. That would likely involve McGinn dropping back next to McGregor, a role in which his goalscoring threat has been inhibited in the past.
John Fleck
The Sheffield United man may not have Gilmour's guile but he'll do the dirty work and build possession from deep for Clarke's side.
Midfield will be the key battleground against the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic and Fleck brings a drive and intensity the manager may well consider.
He's also yet to play any part in the tournament to date and will be desperate to make an impact. A trio of Fleck, McGregor and McGinn could ensure Scotland retain the midfield control which was so pivotal against England.
David Turnbull
Gilmour was the surprise inclusion against England – perhaps the Celtic midfielder will be that man on Tuesday?
Clarke has shown he's not afraid to make bold calls and Turnbull would certainly carry the goal threat the nation so badly craves. Like Fleck, he's yet to feature in the tournament thus far but his sudden arrival into the Celtic team last term shows a player ready to grasp his chance whenever it comes along.
Turnbull, McGregor and McGinn would be a sure-fire sign of attacking intent and may just be the wildcard selection needed for a 90 minutes where Scotland really have nothing to lose. Turnbull's proficiency from set-pieces further enhance his case with Scotland needing every threat that can possibly be mustered.
Ryan Christie
Like Armstrong, this would again involve McGinn dropping back to allow Christie into the advanced area usually occupied by the Aston Villa man.
Christie wasn't the worst performer by any means against the Czechs but was sacrificed to allow Clarke to return to his two-striker system. The 26-year-old then played no part at Wembley so he will be yearning for another chance to make his mark on the tournament.
He's a player constantly on the front foot and his heroics in Serbia show he can deliver for his country when it really matters.
