Scotland Men's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg

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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."

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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."

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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."

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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

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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."