Steven Naismith believes key midfielder Billy Gilmour nonetheless has “a good chance” of being match for Scotland’s probably crucial closing World Cup qualifier towards Denmark subsequent Tuesday regardless that he has been dominated out of Saturday’s conflict with Greece.
The 24-year-old has missed Napoli’s final two video games with a groin harm and it was introduced on Monday that he had not travelled to Turkey to affix Steve Clarke’s squad for his or her coaching camp forward of this weekend’s match in Piraeus.
Assistant coach Naismith revealed that there’s nonetheless optimism that 43-cap Gilmour might be match to rejoin the squad for the go to of the Danes subsequent week – a match wherein the Scots may have the prospect to seal a spot on the World Cup in the event that they keep away from defeat in Greece.
“Billy’s obviously picked up an injury a couple of weeks back,” stated Naismith. “There was an argument to have him on site, but he’s better being at home and seeing how this week goes to give him the best chance to be ready, and that’s still a good, realistic possibility.
“The upper threat comes when you perhaps drive him into the primary sport when he is not 100 per cent and damages extra, whereas when you give him one other week then the possibilities of him being at a extremely good stage to enter that final sport is excessive.
“I think there’s still a good chance that he can meet up when we’re back home.”
Angus Gunn began Scotland’s first 4 qualifiers regardless that he was not taking part in for Nottingham Forest.
Gunn’s absence by means of harm for this month’s double-header means Clarke should choose between Falkirk’s Scott Bain, who has not gained a cap since 2019, Rangers’ Liam Kelly, who has made one membership look this time period, and Hearts veteran Craig Gordon, who has not performed a aggressive sport because the begin of Might.
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Scott Bain is in competition to earn his first Scotland cap in over six years after fearing staying at Celtic for too lengthy had ruined his likelihood of one other call-up
“I think it’s definitely been an area that’s been tricky to navigate over the years,” Naismith stated of the goalkeeping difficulty. “But what I would say is the guys that have come in at certain points have done really well.
“In the event you have a look at the very first sport, Denmark away, there was a query mark as a result of we had no goalies taking part in each week however Angus Gunn sees the chance and takes it.
“I think in the four games he played, he was excellent. I would argue that they’re probably four of his best performances internationally. That door then opens up now for another goalie to take that chance.
“Two video games from a World Cup to stake a declare, not solely to play in these video games, however to plant the seed of being the primary.
“I think for a lot of international football, there is the clear number one and everybody else knows their role, but it’s one of those situations where that position is up for grabs.”
Scotland squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), 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), Connor Barron (Rangers), Andy Irving (West Ham).
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).
Scotland’s closing World Cup qualifiers
- Greece (A) – November 15
- Denmark (H) – November 18
