Scotland Men's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg

Lewis Ferguson says it "cannot be underestimated how difficult" Scotland's eventually "comfortable" World Cup qualifying win against Belarus was.

The Scots backed up Friday night's goalless draw in Copenhagen against Denmark with a two-goal victory in the behind-closed-doors game in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.

With no fans present, Bologna captain Ferguson said it "felt a bit strange" with team-mates comparing it to games during the Covid pandemic.

"It was a good, professional performance," the midfielder said. "The most important thing was the three points.

"I think we did that quite comfortably in the end with a clean sheet, which is always good. That's the main thing we set out to do.

"It also made Friday night's draw against Denmark better. So, we'll take four points from two tough away games.

"I don't think it can be underestimated how difficult it was. There were no fans and it felt a bit strange.

"There're a difficult team to break down, so we're really happy."

Steve Clarke's side now sit second in Group C behind the Danes, who fired three past Greece on Monday, and it is the Greeks who return to Hampden in just a month's time.

The scars of March's play-off pain are still lingering around the Tartan Army, but Ferguson insists Scotland will be "better prepared" this time.

"We played them away and home, so we've seen what they're all about," he added.

"They are a really good side and it will be a difficult game at Hampden.

"Everyone saw that the last time they came, they turned us over and beat us quite comfortably in the end.

"So we are definitely looking for a different result this time, but we're better prepared and just looking to go and get maximum points.

"If we're going to go to the World Cup, we need to pick up points every game."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg

Image source, SNS

Once it was "job done" in Zalaegerszeg for Scotland, Lennon Miller's attention had already switched back to his new life at Udinese.

The teenager made the move from Motherwell last month and though he is still working his way back after missing a chunk of pre-season, the midfielder is being kept busy... Becoming an adult.

Whether it's finding flats, cars, or the words to order a coffee, Miller is making moves on and off the pitch in Italy.

"I'm really enjoying it," he said after a late cameo in Scotland's 2-0 win against Belarus in Hungary.

"Obviously I've only been there a few weeks and I'm kind of settling in, so I need to find places, I need to find cars, I need to do all that stuff.

"It takes time but hopefully that gets sorted soon. I've learned a lot on and off the pitch - even living by myself."

Miller is just the latest Scot to settle in Serie A and he highlighted the importance - and weirdness - of having national team players such as Scott McTominay and Che Adams around him.

"I've struck up a good friendship with the Italy-based boys," he added.

"It'll be weird playing against them but it's one I'm really looking forward to.

"I need to catch up with a bit of fitness because I missed a wee bit of pre-season, so need to catch up on that and then hopefully we can kick on."

And the Italian?

"I've not started lessons yet but I want to learn the language, that's one of the reasons I came here.

"You pick up loads in training every day, so I'm getting there and hopefully I can start lesson soon."

We asked for your views on Scotland's 2-0 victory over Belarus to continue their unbteaten start to World Cup qualifying.

Here is what some of you said:

David: The team played great, very professional performance. We still have an issue finding the back of the net, both Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams have had sitters in the last two games and instead of hitting first time they took a touch and lost the opportunity. Gutted Kieron Bowie didn't get on, he deserved it and is a much better natural striker than those two - would partner them well.

Fergus: Solid performance against a turgid team, Max Johnston not for me at right-back, still an issue that Steve Clarke can't seem to solve. Must take six points in next two home games which is definitely possible.

Gary: A good start to campaign but Clarke bringing on Ryan Christie, Dykes and Kenny McLean a sign of over-loyalty that I fear will cost us. Bowie deserved game-time and Lennon Miller more than two minutes. Also, Andy Robertson's distribution and crosses have been very poor. Big improvement needed for Greece.

Euan: The game was fine. Sometimes you get lucky, but you can only play what's in front of you. I'm still unsure about Che Adams. I'm happy with four points. Clarke is at the wheel, promising start.

Alexander: Why Bowie and Miller weren't put on in the second half was baffling as this was an ideal game for them. Scott McTominay was below his best and seemed too casual at times giving the ball away. Opportunity lost to blood young players.

Darren: Sadly Scotland won't kick on under Clarke. Too negative in how he approaches games and then even more negative in-game management. 2-0 up against fairly poor opposition and his first subs are right-back and swapping attacking midfield for defensive midfield. Only giving one youth player any match time and even then it was the 90th minute.

Rab: Done what was needed, so job done.

Bill: Steve Clarke admitted that Belarus filled their team with big guys so why did they keep pumping high crosses into the box? Admittedly that's where the two goals came from but there should have been a bit of variety to the attacks to get us more goals.

Scotland goalscorer Che Adams tells BBC Scotland after the 2-0 win over Belarus: "It was really professional. We knew we had to come here and get three points and we did that.

"Difficult pitch and a hard to break down team, but we did it in the end.

"We missed the fans a lot tonight. That was for them really.

"We know we're good enough [to qualify]. We knew we had to dig deep tonight and we did.

"We know when we're at Hampden with the crowd behind us, we can beat anyone."

Former Scotland forward James McFadden says winger Ben Gannon-Doak "showed real flashes of brilliance" in the national team's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Belarus.

Scotland secured a routine but important victory over Belarus to continue their solid start to World Cup qualifying.

Read the match report here.

Give us your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Scotland captain Andy Robertson told BBC Scotland: "Job done. That's the best way to describe it.

"We knew they would try to be a bit more secure and defensive. We just had to be patient and got the goal at the perfect time just before half-time.

"We could have had more, but a job well done.

"When they've changed their shape, it takes a wee bit of time to figure out what's going to work. Once we got through with a great goal, we just wanted to stay professional and thankfully got the second goal.

"The gaffer put [Ben Gannon-Doak] on the left so I could look after him, but he doesn't need much looking after. He wants to take people on and his decision-making was good on the whole.

"We put in some shift on Friday and had to freshen it up. The four that came in were excellent. We need the full squad if we're going to qualify."

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke tells BBC Scotland: "It was a tough night. I expected the reaction Belarus gave. They started big guys and filled the middle of the park.

"We kept prodding, doing what we wanted to do. The message was just to stay patient and we managed to do that.

"It's a good start, a solid start. Four points will never qualify you for anything. It's nice to go home with a smile on your face, but I'm already thinking about next month.

"Billy [Gilmour] and Ben [Gannon-Doak] are two players who excite the public. My job is to pick a team to win the game. Both of them did very well.

"Clean sheets are what we have to build our campaign on."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg

Image source, SNS

John McGinn insists it's "important we don't get carried away" as Scotland vie for three points against Belarus to take their World Cup qualification tally to four points in two games.

The Scots kicked off the campaign with an away draw with top seeds Denmark and now face pot for team Belarus in Hungary in a behind-closed-doors game.

Belarusian boss Carlos Alos admitted Steve Clarke's are favourites and expects an "attacking threat" following a defence showing on Friday, but midfielder McGinn is urging those in dark blue to keep their feet on the ground.

"We're excited," the Aston Villa skipper said. "We know how important it is when you're playing against the pot four team to try and get maximum points over two games.

"You need to do that if you've got any hope of qualifying.

"It's a massive game for us but one where we will be fully respecting Belarus.

"They'll be looking to improve on their game the other night where they didn't do so well.

"We need to start the game fast and look after ourselves out there because it'll be a strange experience."

Since Scotland last played games without fans, during Covid-19, McGinn has matured into one of the senior leaders in the side. At 30 years old, he's enjoying help shape the next generation who he hopes will know what it's like to see Scotland competing at the World Cup.

"It's about being respectful, learning, staying humble - that's the qualities of a Scotland player," he added.

"It's important we don't get carried away.

"We know we're a small country fighting against it quite a lot of the time. For us, we need to be humble and be at our best to try and get to the World Cup and that's the message I've been portraying to the lads."

Image source, Getty Images

Scott McTominay was integral to a disciplined display in Denmark that earned Scotland a point in the opening game of World Cup qualifying.

Now Scotland visit Belarus, who will be smarting from a 5-1 defeat in Greece and are expected to deploy a defensive strategy.

McTominay, who has 12 international goals and scored the same number for Napoli last season, could be key in breaking Belarus down, according to former Scotland winger Pat Nevin.

"I don't want McTominay in that deeper midfield role," he told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast. "For that game against Denmark, fine, that's all right, because he'll do that job.

"For this game, I want him further up the field. I want him doing what he does for us and for Napoli.

"Maybe get Billy Gilmour in and move him up?"

Ben-Gannon-Doak appeared as a late substitute in Denmark after head coach Steve Clarke surprised many by choosing two up front; Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams.

The front pair put in a power of work to help frustrate the Danes, so could we see a change against Belarus?

"Ben Gannon-Doak will get minutes," Nevin predicted. "He's an absolute stick-on to start. I think that would be in Steve Clarke's mind before the first game in Denmark - that he would need his pace and creativity.

"Watching Kieron Bowie at Hibs, wow, he's got something. His technical ability is probably quite well suited to international football. It's a big call up front.

"I would not be surprised if it's a much more obvious 4-2-3-1 this time, with McTominay as the one behind the striker and McGinn and Gannon-Doak either side."

Image source, Getty Images

John McGinn says Scotland's experienced players owe it to themselves to end the nation's long wait for a World Cup finals appearance.

Scotland last reached a World Cup in 1998, but started their qualifying campaign for next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a gritty goalless draw in Denmark.

They travel to Hungary to face Belarus on Monday in their second of six matches and McGinn - now 30, with 77 caps behind him - says the squad know exactly what's at stake.

"For a lot of us, it might be," McGinn said, when asked if this might be the last chance for him to reach a World Cup. "We know what's at stake, we're not stupid.

"We owe ourselves - the togetherness, the high moments and some low experiences we've been through - to give it the best chance to be on the plane next summer.

"We all think about it. You get excited - imagine being the Scotland team that does that. It spurs you on.

"I don't feel any pressure. It's more excitement and optimism."

McGinn says there is no doubt as to where a World Cup appearance would rank in his career.

"For us to be involved in that would be 100% a career highlight, representing your country at a World Cup," he said.

"That would just eclipse everything that I've managed to achieve in the game.

"I used to see my teammates going in the summer and you're on holiday, but next summer we've got the opportunity to be there.

"I think every time myself and other boys stand in a tunnel before a game, we need to remember that and we need to realise what we could achieve."

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been talking to the media before his side's World Cup qualifier against Belarus in Hungary on Monday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Clarke is sure his Scotland team will deal with playing behind closed doors in Zalaegerszeg, referring to their positive performances and results during the Covid pandemic.

• Expects Scotland to have more of the ball than they did in the 0-0 draw against Denmark on Friday. "Creating more clean chances" will be key if they are to beat Belarus.

• He's viewing every qualifying match in isolation and made it clear he is going into this game seeking three points.

• In the build-up to these two games, Clarke spoke to his players about being more solid defensively and working harder off the ball.

• He expects a reaction from Belarus after their heavy 5-1 defeat by Greece. Clarke was surprised by the scoreline and calls Belarus a "decent side".

• Players were "tired" after a "big effort" against the Danes, and although Clarke says early-season freshness will get Scotland through, there will be "one or two changes".

• Very pleased with the options he had to change the game off the bench against Denmark.

• On lack of goals from strikers, he says it doesn't matter where in the team goals come from. "I've never sat thinking we were a team that would struggle for goals."

• There are no injury concerns after the game in Copenhagen. "Everyone's fit and ready to go."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg

Image source, SNS

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."