Scotland

Steve Clarke says Billy Gilmour is not fit and won't play. Everybody else in his squad is available.

Scotland

Here we go then. Remember, you can watch Steve Clarke's news conference live at the top of this page.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

The Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has entered the room! Questions incoming.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

We're told Clarke is five minutes away...

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

I guess Steve Clarke creating a bit of suspense by being late to his presser feels on-brand given tomorrow night is going to be a nervy watch.

We were told Scotland's news conference would start at about 14:30 GMT.

Things are slightly delayed.

Our poll is neck and neck.

Tomorrow is going to be a nailbiter.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

World Cup qualification could be "written for Scotland" given the way their campaign has played out, reckons former midfielder Don Cowie.

Steve Clarke's side have been unconvincing throughout their qualifiers but still face a winner-takes-all showdown with Denmark on Tuesday.

A victory in that monumental game at Hampden will take the Scots to their first World Cup since 1998.

Defeat in Greece on Saturday looked certain to ruin Scotland's hopes of automatic qualification, but a shock draw between Denmark and Belarus has kept the Tartan Army's dream alive.

And in the days since, reports, external have emerged that there is a virus in the Danes' camp in the lead-up to a huge match in Glasgow.

"Maybe it's written for us with the way the results have played out," ex-Scotland midfielder Cowie said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It's been a long wait to get to a World Cup. I remember it myself the last time, a 15-year-old, the excitement it brought to me individually and to the country.

"It's just a massive occasion on Tuesday. Despite the result [against Greece], I think there's a lot of positivity to take from it with just the opportunities we created.

"Hampden's going to be absolutely buzzing. The atmosphere is going to be incredible because we're so close and I genuinely believe we can get the job done."

Despite defeat to Greece, Scotland still have a chance.

And that's because Denmark could only salvage a point against Belarus.

Mikkel Damsgaard put the group leaders ahead in the 11th minute but Belarus struck twice in four minutes shortly after the hour-mark to leave Denmark chasing the game.

Gustav Isaksen scored the equaliser in the 79th minute but his side were unable to find a winner, meaning they head into the final group game just one point above Scotland.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Scotland's luck doesn't seem ready to run out following reports, external there's a virus in the Denmark camp.

If there's any truth in that, it would sum up the Scots' World Cup campaign.

Right enough, the Tartan Army will say they have been due a bit of fortune given it's been nearly 30 years since their last World Cup appearance in 1998.

Denmark boss Brian Riemer will face the media this evening at around 17:30 GMT, so the picture will become clearer then.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland will be hoping to bounce back from Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Greece.

Steve Clarke's side were 3-0 down after 63 minutes, with Tasos Bakasetas, Konstantinos Karetsas, and Christos Tzolis on the scoresheet.

Ben Gannon-Doak scored his first Scotland goal two minutes after Greece's third goal to drag his side back into the match before Ryan Christie headed home to set up an exciting final 20 minutes.

Although Greece had to navigate the final six minutes with 10 men after Bakasetas was sent off for a second yellow card, Scotland couldn't force an equaliser.

Image source, Getty Images

Glad you asked.

Scotland began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 0-0 draw against Denmark in Copenhagen.

It was described by BBC Sport Scotland's Amy Canavan as a "potentially precious point".

However, Steve Clarke's side could have left the Danish capital with all three.

Ryan Christie glanced a header wide, while John McGinn missed the target at the back post in a first half which surpassed many expectations.

Scott McTominay danced his way to the goal-line but Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel blocked and Lyndon Dykes squandered the best chance of the match in the second half.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

The big injury news Scotland fans are awaiting revolves around Napoli's Billy Gilmour.

The key midfielder was absent for Saturday's defeat away to Greece because of a fitness issue, and he was badly missed as the Scots failed to have any control in a dire first half.

Steve Clarke seems to be giving the former Chelsea and Brighton man every chance to feature in a monumental match on Tuesday.

In what will be a frantic occasion at Hampden, Gilmour's calm head and composure on the ball would be a big boost.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

The media is assembled at Hampden and we await the Scotland head coach Steve Clarke ahead of tomorrow's massive world cup qualifier. There's a sizeable media pack inside the auditorium, most are Scottish but there are a few from Denmark too.

We're also live streaming Steve Clarke's news conference. You can watch that as it happens by clicking the play icon at the top of this page.

We think Andy Robertson will also be there.

We have a poll at the top of this page for you to answer.

Simple question: Will Scotland beat Denmark and reach the World Cup?

Scotland "can't let go" of the opportunity they have to reach a first men's World Cup since 1998, says midfielder John McGinn.

"The aim of tonight was to make sure we had a cup final on Tuesday and we have it, in strange circumstances," McGinn told BBC Scotland.

"So this opportunity, we can't let it go.

"The manager said the last 20, 30 minutes was everything that we've shown as a group over the past five, six years which got us some success, which got us to tournaments - direct, full of energy, brave, creating chances," the Aston Villa captain explained.

"What an effort we put in towards the end. It feels a bit weird, the feeling of relief that Denmark didn't win gives us an opportunity for a cup final on Tuesday night.

"We've showed signs of a better performance, but there's still a lot to learn, we know that."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

It’s still hard to believe Scotland are just a win away from the World Cup given what we witnessed on Saturday night - and given what the fans have watched over the past three qualifiers.

The last time Steve Clarke’s side played at home, they were booed off despite beating Belarus 2-1 - a result that looks a good one now after the Belarusians' surprise draw with Denmark on Saturday.

That, of course, means Scotland welcome the Danes to Hampden for a winner-takes-all showdown on Tuesday night. The old bowl will be absolutely bouncing for it, but can Clarke’s men take advantage of a golden opportunity?

Their performance level must improve, that’s for sure. Anything close to a repeat of their first-half showing in Athens on Saturday and they can forget about automatic qualification.