Scotland v Israel: Play-off pressure will lift team - Kenny McLean
- Published
McLean (centre) was one of only eight Scotland players to take part in training on Monday
Euro 2020 semi-final play-off: Scotland v Israel |
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Venue: Hampden Park, Date: Thursday 8 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST |
Coverage: Listen live on Radio Scotland & online; text commentary on BBC Sport website & app |
The "weight of expectation" will bring the best out of Scotland for Thursday's Euro 2020 play-off against Israel, insists Kenny McLean.
The winners of the one-off tie at Hampden will progress to meet either Norway or Serbia for a place at next summer's rearranged championship.
Scotland have not been at a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.
"If these games don't excite you, then you shouldn't be here," said Norwich midfielder McLean.
"This is a massive game for the country; we need to go and perform.
"All the boys know how big it is. Expectation and pressure are brilliant. There's so much riding on this and it's great to be involved. We're ready and really looking forward to it."
McLean won his 11th cap in last month's unconvincing 2-1 win away to a hastily assembled Czech Republic side after the original squad had to self-isolate.
That followed a 1-1 draw at Hampden with Thursday's opponents in the opening game of the new Nations League campaign.
McLean insists there is "a lot more to come" from Scotland and he is sure the side Steve Clarke selects will "rise to the occasion" at an empty national stadium.
Only eight players at first training session
The former Aberdeen and St Mirren midfielder, an unused substitute for Norwich's 1-0 home defeat to Derby on Saturday, was one of only eight players to train on Monday morning.
Some of those who played on Sunday had not yet arrived, while others, including Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna, are being assessed for injuries.
"It's not ideal match preparation, that has been said in the past," said coach Steven Reid.
"Playing on a Sunday and going into a two-day recovery period, then it is match-day minus one and then you have got the game.
"But we are more than confident that we can do enough work in that time, on the grass, with the analysis work and video work, to get everyone up to speed."