Scotland Men's Football Team

Head coach Steve Clarke maintains a cautious stance on Scotland winger Ben Doak before the Nations League match against Poland.

Jane Lewis
BBC Scotland in Poland

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Billy Gilmour insists Scotland want to put recent poor results behind them as they prepare to face Poland.

The Scots ended a winless run with a victory over Croatia on Friday after a 0-0 draw with Euro giants Portugal in the previous international break.

"For us in the past games we know the results haven't been good enough," Gilmour said.

"But some performances have been good and we've been close and lost at the end.

"We know we're a good team and we need to prove it every match. That's how tough it is against these tough teams.

"So tomorrow we want to make it right by winning."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Poland in Warsaw on Monday night.

Here are the main points:

• Goalkeeper Craig Gordon had a virus overnight, but he's travelled and hopefully will be ok.

• Admits it's tempting to go with the same starting team as Friday, but says coaches like to tinker. Adds that he has a fair idea of the team, but hasn't named it yet, nor has he told the players as yet.

• On Ben Doak, says he's considering whether the youngster can start back to back games on the international stage. Knows fans might be disappointed if he doesn't start, but knows it's his job to make big decisions.

• But insists Doak is feeling good about himself and is among good people who will keep his feet on ground.

• On Poland, he expects a tough game against a top European side and thinks they'll feel aggrieved after their heavy defeat on Friday, so they’ll want to come out and put on a good show in front of their home fans.

• The Scotland boss says the goal was for Scotland to be in contention in the last two games and that's where they are - they have a realistic chance of staying in top group.

• Adds there's a good spirit and they need to build upon a good win on Friday.

• Clarke says he's not concerned that Portugal may not be at full strength to face Croatia - a game Scotland need them to win to keep their Nations League A hopes alive - he's just focusing on winning this game.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Poland midfielder Piotr Zielinski insisted the atmosphere in the Poland camp is good, despite the heavy 5-1 defeat to Portugal on Friday night.

Zielinski's side have not won in their last four, conceding at least three goals in each of their last three games.

"The atmosphere is good, I know the result against Portugal was negative but I know what kind of match we’re in for against Scotland," Zielinski said. "Everyone is up and ready for the game, win the match and stay in the division.

"We want a response [after the Portugal loss] and we want to finish the division in third place."

Zielinski plays his club football at Inter Milan and faced Napoli pair Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour last week in a Serie A match-up.

"They are great players," Zielinski said of the Scottish midfielders. "We’ve had an opportunity to play against each other, I’ve seen them play, they are key players for Scotland which we need to be very careful about.

"McTominay is in good physical condition, and is very good at entering the penalty box and looking for goals, and so is Billy. So we have to be careful of these players."

Zielinski and fellow Polish international Nicola Zalewski came in for criticism online after getting their photo taken with Cristiana Ronaldo after the 5-1 loss on Friday night.

"Myself and Nicola Zalewski came up to him and asked him for a picture and we took it. No problem with that. I don’t see a problem with that and Cristiano doesn’t see a problem with that. That’s it.

"I’m not interested in what’s going on in social media. Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world and I felt like getting a picture, that’s it."

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• Poland have lost just two of their 12 meetings with Scotland in all competitions (W4 D6), losing friendly matches against them in June 1958 (1-2) and March 2014 (0-1).

• Scotland have lost just one of their six away games against Poland in all competitions (W2 D3), going down 1-0 in a May 1980 friendly.

• Poland lost 5-1 against Portugal last time out in the Nations League, their biggest defeat in all competitions in over two years (1-6 v Belgium in June 2022).

• Scotland's 1-0 win against Croatia last time out in the Nations League ended a 10-game winless run in competitive fixtures (D4 L6).

• Poland haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 matches in all competitions, conceding at least three goals in each of their last three (11 in total).

• Scotland have conceded exactly twice in each of their last four competitive away games - they've never conceded multiple goals in five consecutively on the road before.

• Nicola Zalewski - who scored the winner against Scotland in the reverse fixture – has scored the joint-most goals (2) and had the most touches in the opposition box (16) of any Poland player in this season’s UEFA Nations League campaign.

• John McGinn's winner against Croatia last time out was his 19th goal for Scotland – only four players have ever scored more for the Scottish men's team (Denis Law 30, Kenny Dalglish 30, Hughie Gallacher 23, Lawrie Reilly 23).

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Scotland midfielder Ryan Gauld has backed teenage sensation Ben Doak to deal with the hype and "take it all in his stride". (Daily Record), external

Poland are suffering something of an injury crisis before they host Scotland on Monday, with four players likely to miss the game in addition to star striker Robert Lewandowski. (Sun), external

Former Rangers loanee Fabio Silva could make his Portugal debut on Monday against Croatia, in a game that directly affects Scotland's Nations League hopes. (Selecao Portugal on X), external

Croatia captain Luka Modric says "arrogant" referee Orel Grinfeld "ruined the game" at Hampden Park by sending off Petar Sucic. (Daily Record), external

We asked for your views on Scotland's dramatic win over 10-man Croatia.

Here's what some of you had to say:

David: The team looked refreshed and energised, we have needed a player who can take a defender on and scruff up the opposition's tactics instead of square passing, Ben Doak is that man. The team played good, with shooting boots on and better decision making it could have been more. On to Warsaw for the win.

Kenny: Doak, Andy Robertson and Craig Gordon. On fire. Yes a bit of the rub of the green, but why not. First half was bad. Playing very wide. Hesitant on the ball. Nervous. Red card. Well lady luck. Second half was measured, controlled, but nervy on the terrace. John McGinn and Ryan Gauld made the team stronger. I believe.

Arran: Worst performance of this campaign yet we get the win we needed. With Robert Lewandowski missing, Poland are there for the taking and if Portugal can do us a favour we could end up finishing second and get pot one for the World Cup qualifiers. Massive opportunity for Steve Clarke and the boys. Let's go!

Ryan: Credit where credit is due, I think John Souttar has come in and been a level up in the centre-back position. Real unsung hero in the past three games.

Kieran: Really impressed with how Doak performed over the last three or four matches in a Scotland jersey. Boy has a bright future. I thought the overall game was touch and go at times, but never write Scotland off. Glad we managed to get the three points. On to Monday.

Jim: Smashing result, young Doak is a revelation. McGinn again shows his worth. Nevertheless not our best display yet a win was what the team and the fans needed. Somehow the future looks better now.

George: The win did little to alter my opinion that Scotland has too few top international class players. Doak and Souttar were immense and McGinn brightened up proceedings as a sub. Tommy Conway must have wondered what he had joined up to.

Thomas: Clarke needs to blood more youth into the team and stop this 'protecting young players' nonsense. Give them the chance, the freedom and their raw talent may shine like Doak's did.

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Anthony Ralston hailed former Celtic team-mate Ben Doak's "excellent" Scotland impact after the teenager played a key role in the nation's late win over Croatia.

With 86 minutes on the clock, the 10-man visitors were set to leave Hampden with a hard-fought point.

But 19-year-old winger Doak's driving run and strike allowed John McGinn to finish a dramatic winner.

"He has done excellent on the wing," Ralston said of Doak, who is currently on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough from Liverpool.

"I think when you play against 10 men, you just need to get your attackers on the ball as much as possible, move the ball quick and don't dwell on it.

"We had a few [chances before the goal], but you just keep doing it, keep getting the ball wide and get [Doak] one-on-one. Then, thankfully, we got the goal."

Despite ending their long winless run with a much-needed victory, Ralston feels Scotland could have performed better on the night.

But after enduring what the right-back describes as an "unlucky" Nations League campaign, the Celtic man says the side "deserved a bit of luck" in Friday's win.

"We've played better in other games, especially first half," he added. "But when they went down to 10 men it was a different challenge.

"I'd much rather not play better and get the three points than play well and not get the three points."

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John Souttar says Scotland deserved the three points against Croatia on Friday night.

Steve Clarke's side ended their lengthy winless run with a 1-0 victory over Croatia at Hampden, a result which keeps Scotland's hopes of finishing third, or even second in their Nations League group, very much alive.

"I'd much rather not play better, get three points than play well and not get three points," Souttar said.

"So it's enjoyable and I think the boys deserved it.

"This campaign we’ve been unlucky in other games, so maybe we deserved a bit of luck and got the win through that.

“I think we had belief before the game. We've always had belief It's going to take top performances to get points in this group because the opposition is so good.

"But I think we've handled ourselves well throughout the group and the thing missing was the win and thankfully we got that tonight."

Scotland's winless run comes to an end with a late victory over Croatia thanks to John McGinn. Were you at Hampden or following along from home? Either way we want your views on the game.

What did you make of Scotland's performance? How are you feeling about the trip to Poland?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

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Scotland manager Steve Clarke: "First of all it's nice to have a win on the board in a competitive match.

"I'm really pleased for the players, the effort they've put in up until now has deserved more points so really pleased to get the win.

"For me the pressure is not released. I still feel a little bit uptight. Just with the nature of the game when it's so tight going into the end you're always waiting on that low blow that's affected us a few times recently.

"It's nice to send the fans home with a smile on their face and they can wake up tomorrow and talk about a Scotland victory which they haven't been able to do for a long time so I hope they enjoy it."

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Ben Doak shone in the second half at Hampden and caused problems down the wing all night. He was imperative in Scotland's goal too as his saved shot fell to the feet of scorer John McGinn.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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We'll never know what might have happened had the red card not been shown but Scotland won't care.

This vindicates the hard times Scotland have had to endure in this campaign and, while they were handed a huge slice of fortune, they still had to deliver.

That said, Clarke's side were being taught a lesson in the opening half. Croatia seized the initiative and Scotland repeatedly made mistakes.

Time and time again, players in blue turned over possession far too easily. Often, in the most dangerous of areas. They were riding their luck way too often.

The sending off changed everything and all that was lacking was a little quality or composure as they tried to stretch their opponents and get in.

Performances have, at times, offered optimism but the reality is a win here offered the unlikely hope of rescuing this Nations League campaign.

The reaction of the Hampden crowd at full-time said it all. Scotland can still earn a relegation play-off but must deliver again in Poland on Monday.

Five months on, the regret still lingers among Scotland players over their dismal Euro 2024 showing, says Ryan Jack.

The midfielder was part of Steve Clarke's squad at the finals and has opened up on the frustration of Scotland stumbling to another group-stage exit.

The Scots bowed out after defeats by Germany and Hungary either side of their solitary point in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

As Clarke's side prepare to host Croatia in the Nations League on Friday night, Jack told the BBC's Scottish football podcast: "I still keep in touch with quite a lot of the players that are still involved.

"Over the summer we were bitterly disappointed. There's no getting away from it. Not just on the results, but on the performances and a bit of regret not really thinking that we showed what we showed in the qualifying campaign, which was so good.

"When we went to the tournament we never showed that, so there was a big frustration there."

Scotland, who have won just once in 16 games, enter their final two Nations League outings - they visit Poland on Monday - bottom of the group and battling to avoid relegation from the top tier.

However, Jack is encouraged by the post-Euros performances and says Clarke and the squad have harnessed the disappointment.

The 32-year-old, who joined Turkish second-tier side Esenler Erokspor after his Rangers exit in the summer, said: "I think since the Euros, I'm sure the manager and the staff went away, reflected heavily on how that went.

"And then I'm sure these players, because there's no doubt I did when I left, you look back and you think, what could have we done differently? There's all sorts, it does go through your head. So I'm sure everyone's reflected.

"And then I'm sure when they've met up again in the squad after that, it's been a case of, right, let's discuss it, let's park it. And this is how we're going to move forward.

"The manager is very good at that and he's very strong-minded. He's strong at addressing what goes wrong.

"Obviously results haven't really come after the Euros but I definitely think performances have."

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• Scotland have lost their latest two meetings with Croatia - including 2-1 in Zagreb last month - after being unbeaten in their first five games against them.

• Croatia beat Scotland 3-1 on their last trip to Hampden, when the stadium hosted a Euro 2020 game, but have never won an official away match in Scotland, drawing two before losing 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in 2013.

• Scotland are on their longest winless run at home (six games, losing three) and longest run without a victory in competitive fixtures (10 games, losing six).

• Scotland could equal their longest overall winless run, set in 1998 (nine games – D3 L5 currently).

• Only Greece (with nine) have won more games across the last two editions of the Nations League than Croatia (W7 D3 L2).

• Bosnia (73), Serbia (72) and Israel (69) are the only League A nations to face more goal attempts in this season's Nations League than Scotland (67).

• Croatia have scored in each of their last 14 away games (29 goals) - the longest run in their history.

• Ben Doak could make his fifth appearance for Scotland, with only Paul McStay (six) and Willie Henderson (five) making more appearances as a teenager than the 19-year-old winger.

• Croatia midfielder Ivan Perisic has been directly involved in three goals in his last two appearances against Scotland (one goal, two assists) but has not scored in 18 Nations League appearances.