By Graham Ruthven
Greece know what it’s prefer to silence the well-known ‘Hampden Roar,’ because it has been dubbed via the many years. Certainly, it was just a few months in the past that they beat Scotland on their very own patch, securing their Nations League promotion on the expense of Steve Clarke’s aspect. The stakes will probably be even larger when the 2 groups meet once more on Thursday.
In a 4 crew group as aggressive because the one Greece and Scotland have landed in, there isn’t any room for a misstep. A defeat for both crew could be catastrophic, particularly for Greece who suffered a 3-0 loss at house to Denmark of their final outing. It will even be troublesome to envisage Scotland ending high ought to they lose on Thursday.
That is the sharpest of knife-edge matches Scotland have performed in years, since their final World Cup qualifying marketing campaign which ended with a disappointing defeat to Ukraine within the playoffs. Even when Scotland win on Thursday, the ‘Hampden Roar’ is likely to be quietened by the sheer nervousness of the event.
The match could possibly be a referendum on Clarke’s total time as nationwide crew supervisor, definitely the latter half. Whereas the 62-year-old succeeded in ending Scotland’s lengthy watch for a serious event look, qualifying for the final two Euros, the World Cup stays the golden carrot he has but to chunk.
Clarke should study classes from the best way March’s defeat to Greece panned out. Scotland have been picked off by a crew with extra urgency and power within the attacking third. They afforded an excessive amount of area to Konstantinos Karetsas, the teenage prodigy many consider is destined for the highest of the game. The identical factor can’t occur once more on Thursday.

At their greatest, Clarke’s Scotland have been troublesome to beat and steadfast of their conviction to hit groups in fast transition. At their worst, they’ve been restricted of their attacking ambition. This was definitely true of them at Euro 2024 when Clarke was closely criticised for not taking the handbrake off with a spot within the spherical of 16 at stake.
Many believed Scotland’s group stage exit in Germany ought to have marked the top of Clarke’s tenure. After 5 years in cost, it was argued {that a} new voice was wanted within the dressing room. Nonetheless some consider this, though a decent Nations League marketing campaign stopped the spiral that seemed to have began on the Euros.
Scotland have the standard to make it to a World Cup. In reality, their report of only one defeat in 16 qualifiers, a run relationship again to 2016, makes it one thing of an anomaly that they haven’t already carried out so below Clarke. Scottish FA chief government Ian Maxwell not too long ago known as World Cup qualification the “final piece of the jigsaw.”

In Scott McTominay, Scotland boast a participant who completed 18th on this 12 months’s Ballon d’Or voting. The Napoli midfielder completed Euro 2024 qualifying with seven targets and is simplest when he has the liberty to crash the field and trigger chaos within the closing third. Scotland want McTominay to be sharp towards Greece.
In addition they want John McGinn to hold over the kind of type he has not too long ago rediscovered at membership stage. The 30-year-old has scored 3 times in his final 4 Aston Villa appearances. It’s been some time since McGinn was really influential for Scotland, however he may make the distinction on Thursday night time.
Ben Gannon-Doak could possibly be an important participant in darkish blue. The teenage winger offers Scotland a special dimension, a special path to objective. Clarke doesn’t have one other participant like Gannon-Doak, somebody who can dribble previous an opponent and create one thing out of nothing.
Will probably be on Billy Gilmour to regulate possession on the base of the midfield with Andy Robertson nonetheless an essential and skilled determine at left again. On the proper aspect of the defence, Aaron Hickey’s return from damage has given Scotland the kind of safety on the ball they desperately missed at Euro 2024.
In opposition to Greece in March, Scotland struggled in moments of defensive transition. In opposition to Croatia and Portugal within the Nations League, although, they stored clear sheets in entrance of their very own supporters. It’s this kind of defensive solidity Scotland require to high a bunch that features Denmark, Greece and Belarus.
In some ways, Scotland have been constructing to this second for years. They’re accustomed to excessive stakes video games having performed at two main tournaments within the final 4 years. They possess their strongest expertise pool in a era or two. Key gamers are match and rounding into type. Fail to beat Greece on Thursday, nonetheless, and it may all matter for little.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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