Right here we go once more, the age-old query for each Scotland fan: is that this the time we finish our exile from the most important event soccer has to supply?
World Cup qualifying is about to start, and really shortly will we uncover if Scotland will probably be heading to North America subsequent yr given the truncated nature of the qualification course of.
Denmark, Belarus and Greece stand between the nationwide crew and their first World Cup since France ’98. Six video games in three months on this quickfire group.
The final time I coated Scotland was at Euro 2024. After doing so properly in qualifying, the crew simply did not carry out on the event regardless of the nice help and all of the optimism pre-Euros.
I recall standing on the crew resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen because the squad had been leaving, questioning the place they’d go from right here.
Not masking Scotland allowed me to revert again to attending as a fan with my Dad, and taking a look at issues in a distinct mild from a distinct seat.
Scotland struggled at Euro 2024
The Euros hangover noticed Scotland lose their first three Nations League top-tier video games regardless of being aggressive in every. I used to be in Croatia for the Matchday three, after which you started to ask if we might win once more.
A late VAR verify denied us a attract Zagreb. It was onerous to remain constructive, however the addition of Ben Gannon-Doak to the squad, a change in system (partly on account of availability) and the type of Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay had the Tartan Military nonetheless believing.
A goalless draw in opposition to Portugal at Hampden Park, which noticed then 41-year previous Craig Gordon maintain out Cristiano Ronaldo, proved Scotland may compete. Wins over Croatia and Poland gave the crew an opportunity of staying in League A, if they might beat Greece over two legs in March.
It appeared as if we may try this after profitable the primary leg in Athens that confirmed resilience, grit and a little bit of luck to take a lead again to Glasgow. The return leg was a trigger for concern. We had been fully outplayed by an thrilling Greek crew dropping 3-0, leading to relegation to League B.
Scotland had been relegated to Nations League group B following defeat to Greece
One other concern after that recreation at Hampden Park was the truth that Greece are in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying group. We have now had a glimpse of how robust it will likely be. Scotland definitely had been unfortunate with the draw as Greece and Belarus had been in all probability the hardest groups that would come out of their respective pots.
It is best to by no means write off Steve Clarke and his crew. He has certified for 2 European Championships and bought Scotland into the highest tier of the Nations League. We have now had bumps within the highway and he has all the time managed to bounce again.
His contract ends after the World Cup. By that time, he can have taken cost of extra Scotland video games than anybody else. He completely deserves the prospect of taking Scotland to the World Cup.
The late Craig Brown (2nd left) was the final supervisor to take Scotland to a World Cup
Some might not agree with that, however I feel he is aware of how worldwide soccer works. He has an skilled squad with a sprinkling of youthful gamers however be in little doubt, they must rediscover the type of Euro 2024 qualifying which noticed them win their opening 5 video games to have one foot within the finals earlier than the enterprise finish of the part.
They inflicted Spain’s solely defeat in the entire Euro 2024 marketing campaign. Some will say that was peak Scotland below Steve Clarke.
He does have points. The friendlies in June introduced up extra questions than solutions. The defeat at house to Iceland didn’t do a lot for confidence and perception. The largest challenge to come back from that match was the goalkeeping state of affairs.
Goalkeepers Zander Clark and Angus Gunn are within the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifying double-header
Craig Gordon was reintroduced through the Nations League marketing campaign and his performances confirmed there may be nonetheless life within the now 42-year previous at worldwide stage, but it surely was by no means going to be a long-term repair and an damage means he isn’t within the squad.
Angus Gunn was injured early within the Iceland recreation and changed by Kieran Slicker. Having watched the Ipswich goalkeeper carry out properly for the Underneath-21s, it was disappointing to see that he had a recreation to neglect.
Gunn is again within the squad and now with Nottingham Forest, however not taking part in. Zander Clark has began the season as Hearts’ No 1 whereas Liam Kelly has solely featured for Rangers within the League Cup.
Early in his tenure, Clarke switched to a few on the again which has served Scotland properly however appeared aged through the Iceland recreation.
He deployed a again 4 within the Nations League, helped by Gannon Doak’s introduction additional ahead, is one thing he will probably be significantly contemplating for this marketing campaign. With Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney amongst our prime performers earlier in his reign, Clarke discovered a solution to have them each within the crew. That challenge is just not as urgent now. He will probably be extra keen to choose one or the opposite if he opts for a again 4.
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Ryan Christie says Scotland are determined to qualify for subsequent summer season’s World Cup, believing it is the lacking piece for that era of gamers
Not solely Gannon Doak has burst onto the scene however Hibernian’s Kieron Bowie. Blighted by a hamstring damage final season, he solely made his Scotland senior debut within the pleasant win over Liechtenstein in June. His efficiency for the Underneath-21s within the final marketing campaign and Hibernian’s Europa League matches this season have proven the standard and potential he has. His objective at Easter Highway in opposition to Partizan Belgrade is likely one of the finest I’ve witnessed dwell in a stadium.
I discussed McTominay, the Serie A winner goes from strength-to-strength with Napoli, aided by his team-mate and fellow countrymen Billy Gilmour. The very fact Scotland have 5 gamers within the squad taking part in in Italy’s prime flight exhibits the standard we now have.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 15: Scotland head coach Steve Clarke (centre) with Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay at full time through the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Scotland and Croatia at Hampden Park, on November 1
McTominay, like John McGinn in earlier campaigns, is the place Scotland will search for inspiration and targets.
Scotland completed second to Denmark within the final World Cup qualifying marketing campaign though they did beat them 2-0 at Hampden Park again in 2021. There’s a feeling that Scotland will want 4 factors from a possible six within the opening two video games to face an opportunity.
This could be the final likelihood for a number of the extra skilled members of the squad to succeed in a World Cup. For Steve Clarke, it appears like his last marketing campaign regardless. Hopefully we will rediscover our type and show a number of the doubters unsuitable.
Begin as you imply to go on Scotland.
Scotland squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dominic Hyam (Blackburn Rovers), Max Johnston (Sturm Graz), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese).
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Kieron Bowie (Hibernian), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham), George Hirst (Ipswich).
Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers
- Denmark (A) – September 5
- Belarus (A) – September 8
- Greece (H) – October 9
- Belarus (H) – October 12
- Greece (A) – November 15
- Denmark (H) – November 18
