Scotland Men's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg

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Head coach Carlos Alos admits it's "not easy" for Belarus to come into Monday night's World Cup qualifier against Scotland on the back of opening their campaign with a 5-1 thrashing in Greece.

The Belarusians were four goals down at the break against the Greeks, while Scotland were holding firm against top seeds Denmark in Copenhagen, who they ultimately drew with.

"It was not a good night for us, that is clear," the Spaniard said.

"We started qualification in not a good way, we didn't compete well and so after a defeat like that it's not easy for anyone.

"But, we have to think that tomorrow we have another game, we have to focus on the next game and to be ready to compete better because if we don't it will be difficult for us."

Steve Clarke's side are aiming to make it four points from their first six in Group C and while Alos stressed Scotland are "a good side" he wouldn't highlight any particular player.

"No need to talk about individual players, they play as a team," he said.

"They have players in big teams but when they came to the national team, they play as a team.

"We know in particular the three or four clear individuals that they have, but they are working as a team."

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• This will be the first meeting between Belarus and Scotland since October 2005, when the Scots lost 1-0 in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

• Scotland have kept a clean sheet in both of their previous away games against Belarus, each in World Cup qualifiers in 1997 (1-0 win) and 2005 (0-0 draw).

• Belarus have lost 12 of their past 13 World Cup qualifying matches, including each of their last eight in a row since beating Estonia 4-2 in March 2021. They have conceded 27 goals in this run of eight defeats.

• Scotland have kept a clean sheet in both of their last two internationals, but haven't done so three games running in all competitions since November 2021.

• Excluding play-offs, Scotland have lost just one of their past 17 World Cup qualifiers (W11 D5), a 0-2 defeat at Denmark in September 2021. Scotland have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four such qualifiers.

• In their 5-1 defeat to Greece last time out, Belarus faced 30 shots, their most in a competitive international since November 2019, when they faced 31 against Germany in a European Championship qualifier. 15 of those 30 shots faced against Greece were on target.

• In Scotland's 0-0 draw with Denmark last time out, John McGinn created three chances (all from open play), more than any of his teammates. It's the third time in his past six international appearances that he has created three or more chances from open play, as many as his previous 46 beforehand.

• Goalkeeper Angus Gunn is winless in each of his past 12 appearances for Scotland (D3 L9); this is the joint-longest winless run by any player in the nation's history, alongside Gordon Durie failing to win 12 successive appearances from June 1992 to June 1996.

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Steven Thompson believes "pressing starts from the front" as Scotland gear up for Monday's World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Monday.

The Scots went with a 4-4-2 in Friday's 0-0 draw with Denmark in Copenhagen.

"I'd like to see us be adventurous within the 4-4-2," former Scotland forward Thompson told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"We weren't massively creative, but Ben Gannon-Doak brings just that.

"Steve Clarke will already have changes in his mind. I fully expect a different line-up.

"I wouldn't mess with the back four but I'd like to see him freshen things up middle to top.

"Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes had their press to a tee, and pressing starts from the front. As someone who has done that many, many times, it can be difficult. But their work-rate, especially, was phenomenal."

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James McFadden has urged Scotland "to attack the game" when they face Belarus in Monday's World Cup qualifier.

The Scots have one point on the board following Friday's 0-0 draw away to Denmark. Greece lead the four-team section on three points after beating Belarus 5-1.

"It's so condensed, you can just focus on yourself, really," former Scotland forward McFadden told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"You'll naturally look at other results, but if you do your business, that's all that matters.

"The onus is going to be on us to attack the game, which itself is a different ask.

"With a smaller group, it is so important to get off to a good start and to do that against a top, tough team away, is a really good start."

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Michael Stewart believes Monday's meeting with Belarus in Hungary is "a must-win" for Scotland.

Steve Clarke's side drew their World Cup qualifying opener away to Denmark while Greece defeated Belarus 5-1.

The Greeks host the Danes while Scotland play their second qualifier.

"The momentum could be more important than ever before with this type of short campaign," former Scotland midfielder Stewart told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"It's a great opportunity tomorrow to get three points on the road and have four points from six games. This is a must-win. A draw tomorrow is no good.

"I'd be surprised if Ben Gannon-Doak and Billy Gilmour don't start. I still think Kieron Bowie deserves a shot. He's ready and I'm a wee bit disappointed he never got on on Friday. He's a handful, has an eye for goal. There is a good case to be made for him.

"A 0-0 boring draw between Greece and Denmark, that's what I want."

Carlos Alos says it will be difficult to lift his Belarus players for Monday's meeting with Scotland following Friday's 5-1 defeat by Greece. (Herald - subscription required), external

Hibernian "tried to do their best" to sign Lyndon Dykes, 29, according to the Scotland forward, who says he will continue to give his all for Birmingham City. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Free agent winger and Scotland cap Barrie McKay, 30, just wants to "get back playing and enjoying my football again" after leaving Hearts at the end of last season. (MailSport), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Greek football expert Harry Symeou believes Scotland will have enough quality to beat Belarus in World Cup qualifying on Monday night but thinks Group C is too close to call.

Greece defeated Belarus 5-1 on Friday night to move top of the group before they host Denmark on Monday night.

"I don't want them to be my famous last words but I think Scotland, like Greece, have got far superior quality to Belarus and that is going to tell ultimately," Symeou told Sportsound.

"There was a real lack of quality in that Belarus side. Unless there's going to be a real miracle between now and Monday I can't see that being any different when they face Scotland.

"It was a very comprehensive victory for a really exciting Greece side. There's lots and lots of young, attacking talent in the side and they had too much for Belarus.

"Belarus are underdogs in the group. They don't have the quality. They tried to set up and frustrate but once they were broken down early doors and they had to let the handbrake off and go for it, they started getting caught out.

"There were spaces all over the place. Greece have a really talented attacking side that just pulled them apart."

Looking at the bigger picture, Symeou thinks it will be an exciting contest as Greece, Scotland and Denmark battle it out for a World Cup spot.

"I look at Greece, Denmark and Scotland I think they're all evenly matched talent wise so I think it will come to finer details," he said.

"I think Scotland have a good chance of getting through because of how good they are defensively.

"Greece have the ability to take games away from people quite quickly. Within a 15-minute period if they turn it on they can take it away from you."

Scotland fans, we asked for your views on Scotland's 0-0 draw with Denmark on Friday night.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Andrew: Get our best players on the pitch and set them up to play to our strengths and we get decent results. Not world beaters but can make the finals with the right players and a bit of luck. And of course Steve Clarke's no nonsense approach.

Douglas: A reasonable point at a difficult venue, but I really thought Denmark were there for the taking. Unfortunately a powder puff performance from the front two with Lyndon Dykes particularly guilty of scorning a great chance, meant that Kasper Schmeichel was never really bothered by either of them. A typical obdurate performance at the back, a gritty midfield that harried and sat in front of the defence and a weak attack will not get us anywhere in a World Cup. A natural goal scorer with an eye for the goal has to be our dream.

Bill: Clarke can't win with some folk. Would they rather have had us lost an exciting game and have nothing to show for it? A draw in Copenhagen is a great result and congrats to him and his team. The name of the game is to qualify, and that's a good start!

Euan: Steve Clarke must go. Individually these players are ace but together he makes them average. He's been with us way too long. We try to qualify with draws when we are so much better. I'd rather see us lose with the intent to win which should be our goal. We are that good. I'm a believer. Yeah it was a decent result but with passion, intent and belief we win that game. Steve Clarke is the wrong guy. Period. Sorry Steve. You can do better and leadership is about asking the right questions of your guys. Defending your way to success is like saving your way to profitability. Fails every time.

Franny: When the squad was announced I bemoaned the inclusion of auld Grant Hanley, but he was solid in gaining that point for us. Well done.

Keith: Good point to start us off. Yes we didn't play exciting attacking football but we played to our strengths against a top ranked team. Big difference with Aaron Hickey and Dykes in the team. Everyone played their part, just need three points against Belarus to make it an acceptable double header.

Allan: I am once again proved wrong, asking why Ryan Christie is playing then he puts in a MOTM performance. Scotland battled hard and deserved a point after a shaky start where they continually failed to keep the ball after receiving a pass. Eventually, Scotland grew into the game and could have sneaked it. The last 15 minutes it was all hands to the pump in defence and holding out for the point.

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• Scotland have lost just one of their last six competitive games (W3 D2) after losing four in a row

• This was Steve Clarke's 69th game in charge of Scotland, one more than Jock Stein, with only Craig Brown overseeing more (71)

• Scotland have registered three consecutive away clean sheets for the first time since September/ November 2021

• Despite the game producing 27 shots in total, only three were on target (Denmark 2-1 Scotland)

• John McGinn made his 78th appearance for Scotland, taking him above Alex McLeish (77) and into sixth for the most appearances for the nation

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Steve Clarke thinks Scotland will be missing the Tartan Army in Monday night's game against Belarus.

The Scotland manager insists his side will give Belarus, who were beaten 5-1 by Greece on Friday night, "respect" in their upcoming World Cup qualifier.

Clarke's men started their qualifying group with a 0-0 draw against Denmark in Copenhagen on Friday night and the manager is expecting another tough test in their next game, particularly with it being played behind closed doors.

"The first thing we have to do is respect Belarus," he said.

"Respect the conditions of the game, which will be behind closed doors, so totally different from tonight where even the opposition crowd give you that momentum to keep going.

"Obviously the Scotland fans, the Tartan Army, you could hear them all night. That gives the players that little bit of incentive as they're starting to flag physically.

"They've always got that. It's a different scenario going to Hungary to play Belarus behind closed doors, but what we have to do is make sure that we approach the game with the same manner, the same intensity and try to get the points that we need."

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Lyndon Dykes believes the family feel to the Scotland squad is key as they look to make their first World Cup finals since 1998.

The striker was an unsung hero at Parken as Steve Clarke's sturdy side left Copenhagen with a potentially priceless point against top seeds Denmark.

They now take on pot four team Belarus in Hungary on Monday, where no Tartan Army will be in attendance with the game being played behind closed doors.

"We've always had that, especially since this manager came in and it has grown over time," the returning Birmingham striker said.

"There was a little spell where it got tough, but again, we know what these games mean, we know what they are.

"Games in the World Cup don't come around so often and we need to make sure we perform, and we done that on Friday night.

"We all get on so well. There's a few new faces in the squad but when they come in, it's like a family and we show that on the pitch.

"So hopefully we can show that Monday and then we kick on from there."

Most of a Scottish persuasion would have taken a point before kick-off, but it perhaps could have been all three if the Scots weren't so profligate.

Dykes himself had the chance of the night, but he just couldn't get the ball out his feet when presented with a clear sight at goal.

"I think Che Adams puts it through the defender's legs and I'm running up the pitch and my first thought is to take a good touch and have a shot on goal," he added.

"There was as a defender so close to me, I take the touch and it's a little bit wider than I wanted, but I take the shot and obviously he blocks it and on another day, maybe it goes under his legs and goes in that bottom corner.

"Looking back at that, maybe I could hit it first time, but it's going that quick in the game – it's just unfortunate.

"I'll look back on that and hopefully another chance comes and I do better."

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Scotland midfielder John McGinn tells BBC Scotland: "The first 15 we suffered a lot. The effort from everyone was superb and we managed to keep a clean sheet which is brilliant.

"It's very easy to criticise Grant Hanley - he heads everything, clears everything. The back four were outstanding.

"It was about staying in the game. We're managing games better the past couple of years. Tonight looked like a Steve Clarke team.

"We weren't bad during Covid times so it should be fine behind closed doors on Monday."

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Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes tells BBC Scotland: "It was a difficult night. We showed character. It was a lot of defending, but we had chances as well.

"A win on Monday would put us in a good place. It's not going to be easy and we need to make sure we turn up like we did tonight.

"I should have maybe hit it first time on my right foot - a little bit disappointed with that. On another night I score that."

Stubborn Scotland kicked off their quest for a first World Cup appearance since 1998 with a potentially precious point against Denmark at a raucous Parken Stadium.

What did you make of the game? Reckon Steve Clarke set the side up well to start the group?

Read the match report.

Give us your thoughts here.