Scotland Men's Football Team

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator in Athens

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Anthony Ralston and Grant Hanley have thanked Scotland boss Steve Clarke for showing faith in them despite the pair's lack of game-time at club level.

Right-back Ralston has made just three appearances for Celtic in 2025, while centre-half Hanley has had one start for Birmingham City since joining the English third-tier club in January.

But both players were in Clarke's starting XI in Athens and impressed as the Scots dug out a gritty 1-0 win over Greece in the Nations League play-off first leg.

"When you're not playing at club level there's a chance you might not get selected [by Scotland] or won't start," 33-year-old Hanley told BBC Scotland.

"But I'm grateful to the manager showing that trust in me. I'm happy I could repay that with a clean sheet."

Ralston, 26, said: "I'm very appreciative of the gaffer showing the faith that he has given that my game-time at club level isn't where he would maybe want it to be.

"I obviously want to go out and put the performances in for him.

"It's keeping myself right in my personal life and on the training pitch so that when the opportunities come I can take them and do my job for the team."

Victory in Athens was the fifth game in succession that Hanley has partnered Rangers centre-back John Souttar in the heart of Scotland's defence.

"We enjoy it and feel the performances have been good," Hanley added.

"Second half we were under pressure a bit and defending the box a lot, but for defenders to come through it – making tackles and headers and defending our box – we take a lot of pride in it. It's one we can enjoy and take into the second leg on Sunday."

Read more: 'Scotland's great survivor Hanley basks in battle'

We asked for your views on Scotland's 1-0 win over Greece in the Nations League play-off first leg in Athens.

Here's what some of you said:

Billy: A very brave and controlled performance from Scotland. The return leg will be just as difficult, but with the Tartan Army behind them at Hampden on Sunday they have a very good chance of overall victory.

Tom: Scotland are now showing they can consistently compete with the higher ranked teams. Could have had the game sewn up at half-time but also showed they are able to contain good teams. Unfortunately Steve Clarke will only get the recognition he deserves after he has left the Scotland post. He has built a proper team that does not rely on one or two superstars.

Amy: Fantastic! First half we were superb and looked every bit the good international side we've become. Second half was reminiscent of what Clarke built his reputation on at Killie - an impervious shape and willingness to throw their bodies on the line. Greece had the ball but barely threatened Craig Gordon. Time to finish the job on Sunday.

Anon: The team rode their luck second half, with last-ditch defending too close to goal for comfort. Very proud of their heroic heart and battling mentality as always. First half showed character, composure and class in possession.

Robert: Great result but it was back-of-the-sofa watching for a lot of the second half. Could have been two or three ahead in first half.

David: The team was fantastic overall, but sharper finishing is needed to put games to bed. I'd love to see Kieran Tierney in the line-up to shore up the right side, as opponents are clearly targeting that weakness. As for Ryan Porteous, he's simply not at the national level - his reckless tackles nearly earned him another red card. He's a liability we can't afford.

Ray: We do the same every big game, can't hold the ball. Only Billy Gilmour shows for the ball in our half so it ends up at Craig Gordon whose only option is to boot it up the park. Czech Republic at Hampden, Hungary in Euros we did the same.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Athens

Scott McTominay's 11th goal for Scotland may prove crucial as Steve Clarke's side look to retain their Nations League top-tier status. But the Napoli midfielder was more impressed by his side's defensive display.

"We defended our box well in the second half - the resilience and dedication to defend our goal, that's what you need," McTominay told BBC Scotland after the 1-0 first-leg win in Greece.

The 28-year-old won and scored the penalty that capped a brilliant first-half showing from the Scots before they turned in a backs-to-the-wall performance after the break to see out victory.

"Everyone was so committed to the cause," McTominy added. "In the first half we created some really good situations in midfield and it was quite a balanced game for the most part.

"That was a really difficult game. We knew they were a really good team, so it's going to be tough [at Hampden]. It's only half-time, but we go back to Hampden with good spirit and look to dominate the game a bit more."

Fellow midfielder Kenny McLean echoed that sentiment as he savoured victory while insisting "we can be a lot better in a lot of things".

"It was tough - they're a very good team," said McLean. "It was a case of sticking together and grinding out a result. The back four were outstanding.

"Good result but we can be a lot better in a lot of things. We did a lot of good things in the first half and the next step is to continue that in the second half.

"They came at us quite a lot – how do we improve changing the momentum of games?"

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• Scotland have recorded three successive wins against nations higher than them in the Fifa world rankings for the first time since October 2020.

• Scotland faced 24 shots against Greece, their most while keeping a clean sheet in all competitions since March 2007 against France in the Euro qualifiers (26). Only one of Greece's 24 shots were on target, though produced an xG total of 2.86, compared to Scotland's 1.4.

• Scotland have scored eight of their past nine penalties taken in all competitions (excluding shootouts), with the exception being Lyndon Dykes against Israel in a World Cup qualifier in October 2021. Indeed, no side has scored more penalties in the Nations League than the Scots' six.

• Scotland have won their past two away games in all competitions, one more than in their prior seven (D1 L5).

• Scott McTominay has scored 11 goals in his past 22 appearances for Scotland, with only nine players scoring more goals in all competitions among European nations since the start of 2023.

• Greece have lost their past two home internationals, having lost only one of their previous 13 (W9 D3). Indeed, they've conceded four goals in total in their last two games on home soil, as many as in their prior nine matches.

• This was the sixth time Craig Gordon played for Scotland aged 40+ (42y 79d), making up 50% of the times a player has done so for the national team (David Weir x4, Jim Leighton x2).

Former Scotland forward James McFadden: "First half we got a lot of the ball and used it well. Second half Greece were really good. To win 1-0 here is fantastic."

Former Scotland striker Steven Naismith: "I don't think Steve Clarke will tweak it too much for the second leg. There might be one or two to freshen it up."

Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes: "We got the result we needed. A good night all in all."

Former Scotland defender Willie Miller: "Souttar and Hanley at the heart of defence were immense. We rode our luck a bit, but there's many ways to win."

Former Scotland forward Pat Nevin: "The Greeks really turned it up in the second half, but Steve Clarke has taught Scotland different ways to win."

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "We knew it would be a tough game. First half we were really good, we could've been two in front. If I'm being greedy I could say three.

"We knew Greece would come at us second half. We didn't quite manage to regain our rhythm so we had to show a different side to our game.

"The game changed with the start Greece made to the second half. We didn't progress up the pitch enough. That's something we have to do a little bit better.

"Two of the defenders don't play regularly at their clubs, Anthony Ralston and Grant Hanley. They go in there and do a great job.

"You defend as a team. We were under a lot of pressure. But it wasn't like Craig was making save after save after save.

"Two VAR decisions went in our favour tonight. Both decisions were correct but nice to get them in your favour.

"This game is not dead yet. No way."

Scott McTominay's penalty moved Scotland closer to retaining their Nations League A status as they edged past Greece in the first leg of their play-off in Piraeus.

What did you make of the performance? Would you change anything for the second leg on Sunday?

Share your views on Scotland.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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This was a Scotland performance with a mix of class in the first half, and sheer guts and concentration in the second period.

Clarke opted to give Bologna's Lewis Ferguson a rare start alongside John McGinn and McTominay, with Kenny McLean and Billy Gilmour tucked in behind them.

It worked brilliantly as the midfield made a confident start, knocking the ball about and slowly opening Greece up as the half wore on as they combined quickly to move up the pitch.

The penalty was perhaos dubious, but it was earned amid growing Scotland pressure and McTominay, so often Scotland's hero, confidently tucked it away.

After the break, though, it was about clinging on.

Grant Hanley and John Souttar were outstanding at the back, the latter making a crucial block to deny Tzolis, but Clarke will be slightly concerned with just how drastically the momentum changed.

Greece had 18 shots in the second half alone, with Scotland registering just a single effort - McGinn's strike from 25 yards.

It is a warning ahead of the Hampden return that Greece will not go away easily, but with a lead and home advantage Scotland are in a strong position.

Phil Goodlad
BBC Sport Scotland

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Burning ambitions, fear of the sack and legacy. Steve Clarke the person is a very different character to the one seen prowling around the Scotland dugout, as I've found out having spent some time with him in the build-up to tonight's Nations League match in Greece.

But as we head into what he admits is likely to be his last full year as national manager, one thing is very clear - his determination to end Scotland's near three-decade absence from a men's World Cup.

"To qualify for the World Cup in 2026. That is the bottom line," Clarke, 61, says.

"It has been a long time. The last year of my playing career, 1998, that was the last time [Scotland were] there.

"I've got a lot of players in that dressing room that weren't even born the last time Scotland were at a World Cup – that shows you the size of the task in front of us but it's one we are certainly not afraid of.

"I didn't manage it as a player. I've got another chance and hopefully this group of players can help to take me there."

Clarke, who has said he is 75% sure he will not renew his contract after the 2026 World Cup, has told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland that still being in charge after last year's Euros is something of a bonus.

"When I came out the tournament last summer everybody wanted me out the door."

Asked if he feared the sacked, he says: "It felt that way a little bit.

"Obviously I'm based down south so I didn't get so much around it. And I came out before the September games and said probably the World Cup campaign would be my last one. I still feel that could be the case."

Clarke has been six years in the job. If he is signalling his intent to leave next year it means beginning to assess the job he has done.

"The biggest thing I think we have achieved - apart from the qualifications which breeds what I'm about to say next - is there is a much better connection between the Tartan Army and the people of Scotland," he says.

"My first game was a Saturday afternoon at Hampden and the stadium wasn't full. Now it doesn't matter when we play, the stadium is more or less full every single time. That tells you there has been a connection."

So what about the Clarke legacy?

"It's probably something I'll do when I exit Hampden. And then I have a little look back and if people feel I've done a good job then that would be great."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Athens

Scotland captain Andy Robertson admits this international break has come at a good time for him as it makes recent disappointments with Liverpool "easier to get over".

Last week the Reds were beaten by Paris St-Germain on penalties in the Champions League last 16 then lost the League Cup final to Newcastle.

"It probably wasn't one of our best weeks in football and that's part and parcel of it. But thankfully this season we've had many good weeks and last week wasn't meant to be for different reasons," said left-back Robertson.

"It's always an honour to meet up with Scotland. It's always a pleasure to meet up with the lads again, to have fresh faces, to take a break from a really intense period of time as well from Liverpool.

"So yeah, I'm looking forward to this week, it's been nice and it's made it easier to get over the disappointment."

After no wins in their opening four Nations League games, Scotland ended with wins over Croatia and Poland to set up this week's play-off with Greece as Steve Clarke's side attempt to stay in the top tier.

"The ending was good. The confidence was growing within us again and I think you've seen that within the performances," added Robertson.

"The aim was always to get to the top. We managed that and got to Group A. Once you get there, you want to stay there.

"I think Greece are a fantastic team. They got an excellent result at Wembley and gave England two really hard games. They were in a tough group as well."

Internazionale have a strong interest in Scott McTominay and think the Scotland midfielder's profile suits their style of play as they eye a potential bid for the 28-year-old currently impressing with Serie A rivals Napoli. (Fichajes), external

Liverpool are putting plans in place for the upcoming summer transfer window and are ready to move for a new left-back, throwing doubt over the futures of 31-year-old Scotland captain Andy Robertson and deputy Kostas Tsimikas, who will face his club-mate for Greece on Thursday. (Football Insider), external

Scotland captain Andy Robertson believes Liverpool being linked with "pretty much every left-back in the world" has strengthened his determination to keep his place at Anfield. (The Scotsman), external

Bologna have targeted Monza captain Matteo Pessina as the perfect replacement should they sell Lewis Ferguson, with the 25-year-old Scotland midfielder on the list of several Italian and other European clubs. (1000 Cuori Rossoblu), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Athens

Image source, SNS

Steve Clarke is "praying" first-time call-up George Hirst can help fire Scotland to Nations League A safety and beyond as the head coach stresses the importance of staying in the top tier.

Scotland's last nine goals have been scored by midfielders, defenders or opposition players, with Lawrence Shankland's strike against Finland in a friendly last June the last time a forward found the back of the net.

Head coach Clarke is hoping the Ipswich Town forward can fix that particular problem, though he hinted the Scots may go with an experienced team in the first leg of their play-off double-header against Greece.

"It's nice to have new faces around there," Clarke said in Athens.

"A bit of youth as well, which is always good, and hopefully, a little glimpse of the future.

"But obviously, we've got the boys that have done ever so well. We've got lots of experience, lots of caps and maybe, the situation, the atmosphere here tomorrow and the opponents that we're playing needs an experienced team on the pitch."

That suggests Torino's Che Adams will lead the line for Scotland but, Hirst, who has four goals this season, timed his third perfectly when Clarke scouted him in their FA Cup penalty shoot-out defeat by Nottingham Forest two weeks ago.

"He's good, obviously. He's a big lad," Clarke said of the 26-year-old.

"He's scored some goals recently, which is good. I've always liked him. He's similar in style and stature to Lyndon Dykes. Hopefully he can bring as much to the team as Lyndon has always brought to the team.

"He's a target player. We've always tried to have that type of forward player because we feel we've got goals in the midfield.

"I pray that George can help us to maybe score a few more goals."