Scotland Men's Football Team

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Athens

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Greece manager Ivan Jovanovic has been speaking to the media before his side's Nations League play-off first leg against Scotland on Thursday night in Athens.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Jovanovic doesn't think there's too much difference between the sides, but says Scotland have more experience of playing at a higher level, given they've played in League A and appeared at the last two Euros.

• Says Scotland have "a lot of quality players, especially in midfield". Recent results against Portugal, Croatia and Poland in their group shows the level they can compete at.

• Impressed Steve Clarke's side can "alter their play depending on opponent".

• On preparing to face Scotland four times this year, he says they will "all be interesting matches" and difficult games for both sides.

• On being without captain Tasos Bakasetas, who's injured, Jovanovic admits "missing key players is a concern".

• Konstantinos Karetsas, 17, who represented Belgium at youth level, "is a player we've followed for a while", and says the midfielder has made "an emotional decision" to chose Greece.

From John McGinn to John Carver, plenty folks have had their say on Lennon Miller's comments from last week after his debut Scotland call-up.

Including, as expected, his dad Lee.

If you're thinking he maybe put an arm around his 18-year-old's son shoulder, or gave him a clip round the lug, think again. He was right there, winding him up on his return from work.

A proud dad, he thought "respectful and confident" Lennon gave an "excellent" press conference and was struck by a bout of "word vomit" when the Motherwell midfielder said he "could maybe in a couple of months be the best player" in the Scotland squad.

"I spoke to him when I came home from work and I said, 'I listened to your interview, it was excellent, it was really good... Two months and you're going to be the best player,' and he just laughed and thought, 'Oh I know, I know, I messed up'," Lee told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"And I said 'No, you've got belief in yourself'.

"Obviously the words didn't [come out right] but that's word vomit.

"When you're put in front of that camera, when you're asked so many questions, you feel as if you have to say something and he's just blurted that out.

"He probably never thought about it at the time, but when I was winding him up about it he just kind of laughed and thought 'Aw naw'."

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds.

Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, who has 80 caps, has revealed he has been winding up former Liverpool forward Kenny Dalglish over his bid to shatter his record of 102 international appearances. (Scottish Sun), external

Sheffield-born George Hirst has described his maiden Scotland call-up as a "dream come true" after switching allegiance from England, with father David, who played for England, telling the Ipswich Town 26-year-old to go make his Scottish grandfather proud. (The Scotsman), external

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, who surpassed Ally McCoist's international goals tally by scoring his 20th for Scotland to move into fifth overall, has set his sights on surpassing the all-time record of 30 held by Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Be honest, who else has been frantically trying to figure out the dangermen for Greece before Scotland face them in the Nations League play-off double-header?

Us too. So we called on Greek football expert and host of the Hellas Football Podcast, Stephen Kountourou, to give us the lowdown on the lads trying to stop Steve Clarke's side.

For Scotland, though, it'll be about trying to shackle Christos Tzolis.

The Club Brugge striker is enjoying a stellar season and impressed in his club's Champions League journey before it was ended in the last 16 by Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old netted three times for Greece in 2024, including two in the Nations League, in addition to his eight goals and five assists this season for his club.

"Tzolis is the biggest key man for Greece," Kountourou told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's having a very good season, barring the tie against Aston Villa in the Champions League. He didn't have the best of games in the first leg, but he's been excellent for us.

"He's brought the exact kind of creativity and dynamism on the wing that we've missed for ages."

The forward didn't feature during the failed qualifying campaign for last summer's Euros under former West Ham manager Gus Poyet.

"That was one of the big reasons why we didn't reach the tournament itself in Germany last year, because we lacked that kind of energy in our team," Kountourou added.

"He's absolutely going to be one of the key players in this tie."

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds.

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John McGinn is confident Ben Doak "will be a big player" for Scotland across the next decade as the 19-year-old suffers his latest "bump in the road" with injury.

The Liverpool winger, who spent this season on loan at Middlesbrough before requiring thigh surgery, made his international debut in September and starred as Scotland found form in the Nations League.

The speedy winger was sure to play a part in this week's play-off double-header against Greece for Steve Clarke's side, but was dealt a blow earlier this month when he was ruled out for the season.

Aston Villa captain McGinn, though, has no doubt the teenager - and his "blistering pace" - will be back making an impact in the dark blue of Scotland soon.

"He's young, he is going to have bumps in the road and this is hopefully just a little bump in the road for him," the midfielder said.

"He will be a big player for us in the next 10-15 years.

"We obviously don't have the same speed as Ben. We were very fortunate to have him for the last couple of games and he showed his best performances for Scotland.

"With two brilliant performances, he certainly offered something different.

"We have pace but not the same blistering pace that Ben has, so we will have to adapt a little bit."

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We asked you for your thoughts on George Hirst's first Scotland call-up after the striker was a late addition to Steve Clarke's squad for the Nations League play-off with Greece.

Here's what some of you said:

Adrian: George is a great footballer with a lot of talent. He will be a good addition for Scotland. Pleased for the boy, he's very popular at Ipswich.

Jim: Not overly impressed by Hirst's record. I remember his father as a very good striker but was very injury prone. As Aaron Paul says, the apple does not fall far from the tree. I fear we are bringing a player on board who is injury prone and who cannot get a regular place in a team doomed to be relegated. I rest my case.

John: When I saw that Hirst was added to the Scotland squad I was amazed. He must have improved a thousand fold since he spent a year at Rotherham United in the Championship! He tried, he ran about, but didn't know where the goals were and looked very ordinary. Good luck to him if he has improved so much, but he is nowhere near as good as his father was.

Jim: About as strong a squad as we can muster presently and it's right we have a good look at Hirst. The lack of Scots playing for the Old Firm means we have to cast a wider net for new faces and Hirst is a strong contender. At 6ft 3in, given the right service, he will give us a few more options up front and at 23, he is yet to reach his peak.

Anon: Should be nowhere near the squad. Wouldn't be in least bit interested in playing for Scotland if good enough for England. Also goalscoring record hardly impressive. Sooner we scrap the grandparent rule the better.

Thomas: Oh boy. Very excited to have yet another striker who is anything but a prolific goalscorer. Just what we need. I cannot wait for our midfield to score all the goals as per usual.

Motherwell midfielder Miller and fellow 18-year-old James Wilson, the Hearts forward, are not merely in the Scotland squad to make up the numbers, says assistant coach John Carver. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Carver put celebrating Newcastle United's Carabao Cup final win on hold to focus on his Scotland duties. (Record), external

But Carver admits he would have liked to have remained in Poland as his Lechia Gdansk players are threatening a strike. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Assistant manager John Carver says "confident" Lennon Miller "needs a little bit of guidance" after the Motherwell teenager suggested he could become Scotland's best player in the near future.

The 18-year-old, who is enjoying another impressive season at Fir Park, received his first call-up to Steve Clarke's squad for this month's Nations League play-off double-header against Greece.

Following the news of his inclusion in the senior set-up, Miller said: "I'm obviously not going to go in and be the best player there, but I believe I could maybe in a couple of months be the best player there."

While assistant coach Carver believes the comments "might have been taken out of context", he says the teenage midfielder has "got to learn" from his remarks.

"I've made the same mistake a few years ago and I was a lot older than him," Carver said. "But he's a confident lad and there's nothing wrong with being confident and believing in your own ability.

"He's had a good season and he's a good player - a very, very good player - and we all make mistakes, but he's got to learn from it. The headline might have been taken out of context for sure."

Miller said he had been expecting to be named in the Scotland Under-21 squad again, but he is "confident" he is capable of starting against Greece if called upon.

"He's a young player learning and needs a little bit of guidance," Carver, who also spoke of fellow first-time call-up Hirst, added.

"I made a similar mistake when I was a lot older, so I'll talk to him and give him my experiences, but hopefully he's learned from it because I did."

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Assistant head coach John Carver addressed the media as Scotland met up for the first time this week to begin preparations for their Nations League play-off matches against Greece.

Here are they key things he said:

• Carver said "different dimension" George Hirst was "delighted" to come and join Scotland. Added it's "refreshing" to see some fresh faces.

• On Lennon Miller's comments about his potential of being the best in the squad, he said; "There's nothing wrong with being confident in your ability but we all make mistakes, and hopefully he'll learn from it after a chat".

• He added the headline "might have been taken out of context for sure".

• Carver is looking forward to an "electric atmosphere" against a "difficult and in-form Greece".

• Scotland's determination to remain in League A is high as they "need to play against the best to be the best".

• Newcastle-born Carver, who has a long association with his boyhood club said he's "the only Geordie that didn't celebrate properly" after Newcastle ended their 70-year wait for a trophy.

• He added he's "disappointed" for Andy Robertson, who was on the opposite end of the result with Liverpool, but said: "What's really good for Andy is he won't have to wait 70 years for the next trophy! They're only a few months away from picking up the Premier League and I'm sure they'll do that. Andy will have his day in May to celebrate, I'm sure."

Scotland are free to call up Ipswich Town forward George Hirst after he was initially left out of the squad for the two games with Greece. (Herald - subscription required), external

Midfielder Scott McTominay came off with a knock towards the end of Napoli's weekend win over Fiorentina, fuelling fears he may be a doubt for Scotland's Nations League play-off with Greece. (Record), external

Scotland defender Kieran Tierney, who will return to Celtic this summer, was on the end of a heavy challenge by Ivan Perisic in Arsenal's aggregate win-completing draw with PSV Eindhoven. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Dundee manager Tony Docherty urges forward Simon Murray to push for a Scotland call-up. (Courier - subscription required), external

Fan favourite Scotland midfielder John McGinn admits Paris St-Germain are a "frightening" prospect after his Aston Villa progressed to meet the French side in the Champions League quarter-finals. (Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland

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Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson believes the timing of his ACL injury has given him more motivation to reach the 2026 World Cup.

The 25-year-old was certain to be part of Steve Clarke's side for last summer's European Championships, but suffered a season-ending knee injury a few months before.

"It's really difficult, it's half the challenge when you're recovering from such a bad injury, some days are more mental than physical," the former Aberdeen and Hamilton Accies midfielder said.

"It's a long rehab, it's a long process, you have to be mentally prepared to have good days and to have bad days, you've just go the end goal in sight and you need to focus on that and stay strong.

"It's really important to stay mentally strong to get you through the tough days.

"I had the injury just before the Euros which was sad and really disappointing, but it gives me a little more motivation to go and try to push to qualify for the World Cup."

Since returning in November, Ferguson has captained Bologna four times in the Champions League and led his side to a famous win over Borussia Dortmund.

He's now keen to add more starting caps for his country and, following the international retirement of Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor, could be in line for a key role in Steve Clarke's side.

"I've always been confident of trying to get as much minutes as possible, nothing's changed," Ferguson explained.

"I feel good now and nothing's changed, I feel back to normal, and I'm playing well at the minute, so I'm looking forward to going in and catching the manager's eye for a starting place."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

There had been plenty of talk about the inclusion of Lennon Miller in Scotland squads before, but James Wilson's name took plenty by surprise.

The striker, who only turned 18 last week, has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Hearts and his ascent to the national team - while he still sits his Highers at school - emphasises just how meteoric his rise has been.

Although Wilson made his debut just over a year ago in a Scottish Cup win over Spartans, eagle-eyed fans spotted him in pre-season back in 2023 when he made an impressive cameo against Leeds United.

However, it was really in the first Edinburgh derby of this season that he made his name.

In only Neil Critchley's third game in charge, Wilson was thrown on at Easter Road with Hearts trailing, in desperate search of a goal. Wilson found it, popping up in the right place at the right time to turn home a long throw.

He has gone on to make 24 appearances this campaign, scoring six goals - including a double at Ross County - and contributing two assists.

It could have been a hat-trick, too, in Dingwall as Hearts were awarded a penalty and Wilson stood patiently with the ball tucked under his arm. Sadly for him, the decision was overturned, a mistake the Scottish FA subsequently admitted.

Wilson has started 11 of Hearts' 12 past league games, becoming a vital cog in the turnaround of league form that has given Critchley's side a shot at the top six.

Only Lawrence Shankland and Blair Spittal have scored and created more, although they have also played almost 1,000 more than Wilson.

Perhaps his most impressive stat is his shot conversion. From 13 efforts, Wilson has scored five - the best conversion rate in the league. He picks and chooses when he's going to pull the trigger, and doesn't often miss.

The teenager was called up to the Scotland Under-19s in September last year, having been capped at previous age grades.

He remains eligible for Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and England but has said previously: "I was born in Scotland, I feel Scottish."

Now he has the chance to become the youngest Scotland player since Tom Wylie in 1890 - and the third youngest of all time.

If you're worried about nerves, just look at Hearts' Scottish Cup win over St Mirren a few weeks ago. The game had gone to penalties, and Wilson stepped up first for the visitors.

Made to wait by goalkeeper Zach Hemming's mind games, he juggled the ball between his hands before placing it on the spot, taking a few steps back, and rocketing it into the top right corner.

Cool, calm, and composed, Wilson has it all to make himself a Scotland regular for years to come.