Scotland Men's Football Team

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in Athens

Image source, SNS

John Souttar dreams of emulating his younger brother, Harry, who played for Australia at the last World Cup in Qatar, by reaching next year's finals.

"It's the pinnacle for everyone," the Rangers centre-half said on the eve of Scotland's seismic World Cup qualifier against Greece in Piraeus on Saturday night.

"We've got a long way to get there, but watching that [his brother in Qatar] a few years ago was amazing.

"My family was over there and it was a proud moment watching him play in that and also how well he done over there. I never made it over myself, but my whole family was there.

"It's probably the pinnacle for all footballer. What they dream of doing is going to the World Cup."

Souttar is on an injury-free run but has experienced horrendous injuries in his career and has lost seasons because of them.

"If you look through any footballer in the squad, they've all got their own individual stories, but all of our motivation is on getting the country to the World Cup and every one of us will be doing everything we can to do that," he said.

"Everyone's excited, everyone's looking forward to it and we've had a good week away, everyone together [in a warm weather camp in Turkey]. We got a lot of work done and everyone's ready to go.

"If we bring the best version of ourselves, we're more than capable of getting a result here. I'm sure that everyone's going to be high to get this result."

Souttar is too young to remember the last time Scotland played at a World Cup - he was only a child - but he has heard the stories and needs no telling about how special it would be if Scotland made it.

"My family went," he revealed. "My older brother and my dad, they went to the World Cup in France. My uncle as well.

"It was always a big thing for my family and there's always pictures and stories about people being there. Everyone knows how big a deal it is."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in Athens

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been talking to the media before his side's World Cup qualifier against Greece on Saturday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Everybody has arrived in good fettle and no new injury worries. He hasn't officially told the players the team, but they have a fair idea. He would not be drawn on who his goalkeeper will be.

• Clarke said he wasn't "spooked" by the poor performance against Belarus because "it happens in football". He said his anger at half-time during that game was "from a little bit of fear" that Scotland might drop points "in a game we shouldn't drop points in and then suddenly you're behind the eight ball".

• Asked if he needs more from his senior players on Saturday night against Greece, Clarke replied that he needs more from every player.

• Scotland medical staff are in touch with counterparts in Napoli about Billy Gilmour's fitness for Tuesday night against Denmark. Clarke is expecting more news on Monday.

• Clarke has not allowed his mind to drift to what might be if the next two games go Scotland's way. "No, I'm focused on this game. We need to get a positive result. We need a draw or a win. That makes the second game [against Denmark] much more relevant."

• Asked if he thinks the stakes on Saturday and Tuesday will help the team, Clarke said: "I think they knew the stakes were so high last time, which is maybe why they probably panicked a little bit during the Belarus game when they lost sight of what they were actually trying to do, which was win the game comfortably."

• Has he seen what he wants to see from his players this week? "The players are ready. They understand the magnitude of the game coming up."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in Athens

Image source, Getty

One word was sufficient. When asked who was the better side - Greece or Scotland - head coach Ivan Jovanovic did not hesitate in his reply. "Greece," he said immediately and with a smile.

Speaking on the eve of his side taking on Scotland in Piraeus in a critical World Cup qualifier for the visitors, Jovanovic talked about the frustrations Greece have experienced in the group as well as praising the Scots and Alexandros Kyziridis, Hearts' Greek winger and one of the best players in the Premiership so far this season.

The Greeks are out of contention, their hopes dealt a huge blow when they lost at Hampden last month. Jovanovic says Saturday's game is not about revenge, though.

The sides have met three times already this year - a 1-0 away win and 3-1 Hampden smash and grab for Steve Clarke's side either side of a 3-0 away win for the Greeks.

Jovanovic said: "I don't think there's any doubt all the games have been entertaining.

"I respect Scotland - a very good team with very good players. Overall, there's been very good competition in all of those games."

The Serb denied this was a grudge match. "I don't see football in this way," he said. "The Scots have greater motivation but the Greeks have our own motivation for the fans and for the team. I don't see it as a revenge match."

The coach was asked about Kyziridis, the uncapped 25-year-old who has been tearing it up with Hearts this season.

"I do watch Scottish football and I like Scottish people," he said.

"Kyziridis is having a good season. I'm watching him and I'm watching Hearts. My son studied in Edinburgh for a few years, business management at Heriot Watt, and I visited him regularly. The Scots are warm people."

Jovanovic expressed disappointment with the way the campaign has gone for Greece.

"In our four games in only one did we not reach the level we believe we have (the 3-0 home loss to Denmark). Details were not on our side. We conceded goals that we are not used to conceding, but our belief remains high."

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Steve Clarke has a "massive issue" over Scotland's goalkeeping situation but must start Craig Gordon against Greece in the make-or-break World Cup qualifier, says former international Cammy Bell.

With Angus Gunn out injured, 42-year-old Hearts keeper Gordon - who has not played this season - is vying with Rangers back-up Liam Kelly and recalled Falkirk number one Scott Bain for the gloves in Athens where Scotland need at least a point to make the final game against Denmark a qualification decider.

Kelly, 29, has played one game for Rangers this term while 33-year-old Bain is back in the Scotland squad for the first time in six years after reviving his career since moving from Celtic to Falkirk in the summer.

"These games of such huge magnitude and pressure around it, I think you've got to go experience," former keeper Bell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I know Liam Kelly and Craig Gordon aren't playing, Scott Bain is playing but although he's had a fantastic season so far, he had long periods when he was at Celtic and never played a lot of football as well.

"For me, in games of this magnitude, you've got to go experience and Gordon's the one that can hopefully get us over the line."

However, Bell doesn't see any of the three goalkeepers in the squad as a long-term solution.

"It's massive issue for Scotland going forward," he added.

"Kelly's not playing at Rangers and he's probably one of our younger ones. Bain's playing, but he's not that young. So again, we've got to find the next generation.

"We've had it so good for so long with Gordon, Allan McGregor and David Marshall in our squads for over 10 years. It's a big issue and it's something we need to look at."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former Wales captain Joe Ledley says Steve Clarke's Scotland reminds him of the Welsh side that Gareth Bale skippered to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

Both national teams are aiming for a spot at next year's World Cup and have the guarantee of a play-off spot.

Scotland need at least a draw in Greece on Saturday to take Denmark to the final game, at Hampden, for top spot in the group and guaranteed qualification.

Former Celtic midfielder Ledley rates Scotland's chances and their style of play under Clarke.

"They've been magnificent," he said. "They remind me of our team in 2016. A great group of men, very entertaining. You can see they all stick together. You can see there's good team bonding in that side.

"I think they've got fantastic players there and you can see over the last few years, with Clarke being in charge, they've been magnificent.

"They've got a great opportunity to qualify [automatically]. If not, they're one of those teams I hope Wales don't play against [in the play-offs] because it is going to be a difficult test against that team.

"It's not just the starting XI of Scotland, I think the players they can bring on as well, the whole squad, they all make an impact.

"That's worrying for us if we do maybe play against each other. They've been brilliant. I've watched a few of the games and there's goals from everywhere in that team."

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Scotland fans hoping Greece field a weakened side on Saturday are set to be disappointed.

The Greeks' World Cup qualifying hopes are over after 3-1 defeats to the Scots and Denmark last month extended an absence from major tournaments stretching back to 2014.

But Greek football expert Stephen Kountourou says Ivan Jovanovic and his squad can't afford to take Steve Clarke's side lightly in Athens.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "I envisage Jovanovic playing mostly an experienced team for this game against Scotland.

"Depending on how the game goes, he may bring on a couple of younger players who are due to make their debut.

"Scotland did win last time you guys came to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium and our home form isn't fantastic at the moment. So there's doubly an opportunity there for Scotland to get their second win in a row in Greece.

"But this is one where we have to not only perform well at home, which we haven't done for a while, but show there is grit to this team and the project still has potential.

"I just think they have to give the fans some confidence going into the next European Championship qualifiers because we're the second-best team record wise in the Nations League.

"We're pleased to be in Nations League A, but ultimately we want to see Greece in a major tournament. A whole generation has gone by without seeing Greece play at the World Cup or Euros."

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Scotland fans went wild for Euro 2024 - but defender Scott McKenna insists that will pale in comparison to the hype and excitement if Steve Clarke's side qualify for next summer's World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The men's national side can make it to a World Cup for the first time since 1998 by taking a point in Greece on Saturday and then beating Denmark at home on Tuesday.

"I don't think anything comes much bigger than a World Cup," said Dinamo Zagreb centre-back McKenna. "Obviously the Euros were big, but the World Cup is on the next level.

"There was thousands and thousands of fans travelling to Germany and all the cities we played games in and they spent a lot of money to get there to support us.

"Not only in Germany, but back home as well, it really brought everyone together so I would imagine it would be like that but on steroids if it was a World Cup.

"The thought of all the Scotland fans travelling to America, having a party and supporting the team, it sounds absolutely amazing.

"For everyone it would be absolutely incredible. It's probably something we'll always have dreamed of since kids.

"But obviously we're still two games away from that and it's important that all our focus just now is on Greece. Then after that we'll move on to Denmark.

Scotland followed last month's unconvincing 3-1 home win over Greece by beating Belarus 2-1, incurring the wrath of the usually mild-mannered head coach Steve Clarke.

"We need to improve from the last camp," said McKenna. "Obviously the points were there, but the performances on the pitch weren't of the level expected and the level we've been used to over the last few years.

"After that last game the manager was pretty strong in his words and made it clear to everyone that that performance was well below the levels expected, and if we want to have any chance then we need to up our performance."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Turkey

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After venting his frustration and speaking of his "anger" at half-time in last month's meeting with Belarus, Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is keen to emphasise the need to "keep a sense of perspective".

Despite disappointing performances at Hampden against Greece and then Belarus, the Scots still picked up maximum points in October to take their tally to 10 from the 12 available.

It has them now in a position where, with two games to go, World Cup qualification is still in their own hands.

Avoid defeat away to Greece on Saturday and a winner-takes-all shootout in Glasgow against Denmark on Tuesday is a date everyone should have circled in the diary.

"I think being honest, we're not a team that's going to score lots of goals against decent opposition," Clarke told BBC Scotland.

"The Belarusians on the night were decent, they played well - probably their best game out of the four they've played.

"Hopefully they can put on a similar performance against the Danes, but you never know.

"It was just to get over the line in that game and make sure that we got the points and we did that, so we're in a really good position going into these two games.

"If anybody had said going into the last month, the final two games, that one of our biggest rivals would already be out of the equation for the play-offs or the automatic qualification, I think everybody would have taken that.

"So, we need to be disappointed in the performance against Belarus but we also need to keep a sense of perspective that we're in a really good position and can we capitalise on that in the two games coming."

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Lyndon Dykes does not want Scotland to have to rely on their "buffer" of a play-off place as they seek to reach a first men's World Cup since 1998.

The Scots can secure a place at next year's finals in Canada, the United States and Mexico with six points from their final two qualifiers against Greece, away on Saturday, and Denmark, at home next Tuesday.

Steve Clarke's side are assured at least a play-off place as neither Greece nor Belarus can usurp Denmark or Scotland, who both have 10 points after four games.

"What we have as a team gets us over the line," said Birmingham City forward Dykes. "It would definitely a highlight of my life and my career if we can do it.

"We have got a bit of a buffer but we want to be going straight there because it's the best way and the easiest way to get to the World Cup."

Dykes, who missed Euro 2024 through injury, says he has "never actually" contemplated the prospect of facing Australia, the country of his birth, at the finals.

"That would be quite good," he explained. "I'm sure my sister [gymnast Hollie] would be happy to see that one as she represented Australia. I want to get there just in the first place.

"Missing out on the Euros was a big blow. Hopefully, I can play my part for this team to be at the World Cup and hopefully be in the squad if we do make it."

Head coach Steve Clarke explains his rare show of anger during Scotland's previous World Cup qualifier - the 2-1 win over Belarus - as he prepares for the make-or-break double-header against Greece and Denmark.

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Grant Hanley is in good shape to feature in Scotland's World Cup qualifiers away to Greece and at home to Denmark as he continues a late career renaissance at Hibernian.

The 33-year-old started the opening goalless draw in Copenhagen and the 3-1 win over the Greeks at Hampden, but was rested for the subsequent victories over group minnows Belarus.

However, the experienced centre-half made his 11th start for Hibernian in the 3-0 win over St Mirren and goes into the key double-header in the rhythm of first-team football.

He had missed much of 2023 after rupturing his Achilles and made a combined 14 starts for Norwich and Birmingham over the course of the past two seasons, although Scotland boss Steve Clarke did chose him for every Nations League fixture in 2024.

"I wouldn't say I was going into it feeling any different than I have previously because I always did as much as I could to get myself right," said Hanley, who has 64 caps.

"There's been some moments that were difficult to push through.

"But here and now, I'm so glad I did because I'm really enjoying my football and playing regularly. The plan was to come and play for a massive club, which I'm doing, and also keep my international career going. So far, so good.

"It was a big part of coming to a club like Hibs. But the reality is, you've got to get yourself on the pitch, you've got to get minutes and you've got to play well. Otherwise, the national team wouldn't be a thing.

"There's too many good players trying to get your place. It's up to me to keep performances up and stay fit and hopefully that can last as long as possible."

Hanley, who made his Scotland debut in 2011, insists he will not take anything for granted, with a possible World Cup place on the horizon.

"I don't think too far ahead of myself," he said.

"There was a period of time this summer where I was out of contract and there were days where you're going running yourself.

"It takes real grit and determination to take yourself through that and put yourself in a position where you're fit enough to come in to a team where the competition's so high in every position. That's the reason you work so hard."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Just when Billy Gilmour had started to establish himself as a regular starter for Napoli beside Scotland team-mate Scott McTominay, he has picked up an injury that likely leaves Steve Clarke rearranging the midfield deckchairs aboard his World Cup qualifying battleship for Saturday's voyage to Greece.

With Udinese's Lennon Miller also injured, Rangers' Connor Barron and West Ham United's Andy Irving have been called up as cover, but both are likely to be seated on the bench in Piraeus on Saturday considering that has been their haunt for their respective clubs.

McTominay is likely to be the first name on Clarke's teamsheet given his recent form for both club and country, while Lewis Ferguson made his case for a start by captaining Bologna to a 2-0 win over his international team-mate that led to Napoli being knocked off the top of Serie A.

Two more possible midfield starters came face to face, but only for six minutes, in England's top flight as John McGinn helped Aston Villa establish a 2-0 lead over Bournemouth and visiting substitute Ryan Christie could not prevent two more goals being added before the end.

Worryingly, winger Ben Gannon-Doak, with whom so much burden of hope has been placed for the future, was again unused on the Cherries' bench.

Having started beside Gilmour last time out, Kenny McLean will hope to retain his place after playing the full 90 minutes for Norwich City, albeit in a 2-1 home loss to Leicester City.

Aaron Hickey picked up an injury in last month's 3-1 win over Greece but will be favourite to start again at right-back after returning to action, albeit on the left, in Brentford's win over Newcastle United.

Especially so given Bristol City's Ross McCrorie has pulled out injured while Anthony Ralston found himself usurped in Celtic's starting line-up by on-loan Manchester City 20-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey against Kilmarnock.

Andy Robertson has fought his way back into a starting berth with Liverpool, although a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City will not have done the Scotland captain's confidence much good.

Left-back rival Kieran Tierney, though, scored his first goal since returning to Celtic after coming on as an early substitute, while Josh Doig was a late replacement in Sassuolo's fine 3-0 win away to Atalanta.

Up front, Lawrence Shankland marked his Scotland recall by failing to score for Hearts for the first time in four games, while Che Adams played the second half of Torino's goalless draw with Juventus.

Lyndon Dykes was an unused substitute in Birmingham City's 2-1 defeat by a Middlesbrough side for whom frozen out Scot Tommy Conway played the full 90 minutes.

At least George Hirst played 71 minutes of Ipswich Town's 4-1 win away to Swansea City.

Scotland's goalkeeping dilemma has been well publicised, with Hearts veteran Craig Gordon likely to start in Greece despite, like Rangers' Liam Kelly, again being on his club bench and the recalled Scott Bain being an ever-present for Falkirk.

At least all four of Scotland's centre-backs started for their clubs over the weekend. Clarke will be thankful for that small mercy.

Scoring his first goal since his return to Celtic was a big, emotional moment for Kieran Tierney on Sunday, but former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart believes the "psychological scars" of so many injury problems will take a while longer to heal.

The Scotland defender, who fired his side's second goal in their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock after coming on as a substitute, is back at Celtic after his injuries contributed to a lack of game time and release by Arsenal.

"You want to see a player of that talent and ability come back to the fore," Stewart told BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It's not going to be easy, though, because the psychological scars that Kieran Tierney has sort of amassed over the last number of years, it doesn't shift or leave them quickly.

"When you're younger, there's almost a carefree attitude - I've got a knock, doesn't matter, I'll just batter through.

"The older you get, it's amazing how it can affect your drive slightly, especially when you've had moments like this where he'll be feeling a little bit uncertain about his ability to be able to physically do what he needs to do. It can take the edge off."

Stewart hopes the feeling of "belonging" induced by being back at his boyhood club will help Tierney and that it might take a season of playing less than 90 minutes or sitting out some matches before he returns to his best.

"But, even if he's able to get back to close to those levels, the guy's a world-class player," he said. "But, at the moment, it is definitely a work in progress for him to try and get back to those levels."

Former Scotland striker Billy Dodds pointed out that "he's got a few years left of him" at just 28.

"He doesn't want to push himself too much till he gets himself conditioned mentally," he added. "For him to go, I feel great, I want to get through it now, I can play two, three games in the trot.

"I don't think he's quite there yet, but if you do get it right, and Celtic can get him tip-top condition-wise, fitness-wise, and he can get himself so positive, Kieran Tierney is a star, he's proven it."