Scotland Men's Football Team

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Greece have no plans to give any special attention to Scotland's Ballon d'Or nominee, Scott McTominay, in Thursday's World Cup qualifier at Hampden, visiting head coach Ivan Jovanovic has insisted.

The Napoli midfielder scored the winner from the penalty spot against Greece when the Scots visited Piraeus in March.

"Yes, he is a very good player," Jovanovic said. "However, Scotland have lots of very good players with a lot of experience at international and club level.

"Arguably, they probably have more experience at top international level than our players. They've been to tournaments recently.

"But, overall, the Scottish team has a lot of players that need a lot of attention anyway."

Greece won the second leg of that Nations League play-off 3-0 to win promotion and relegate the Scots, but it is their hosts who are one point ahead in European Group C going into what will be the half-way stage of qualification after the visitors lost at home to Denmark last time out.

"It is an important game, especially after the last match, but for any team that has set itself targets, every match that comes up is important," Jovanovic added.

"Especially when we're playing a good team such as Scotland.

"We want to do better, especially compared to the previous match, and we want to keep getting better to provide us with a better continuation.

"It's a very short window of three months to play six games to qualify for the World Cup, so every game is important, and there's no going back on whichever result there is."

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Konstantinos Karetsas will be assessed before kick-off as the Greece teenager battles to be fit to face Scotland in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

The 17-year-old Genk winger made a big impression when he came off the bench to make his international debut in the 1-0 Nations League defeat by the Scots in Piraeus in March.

He started for the first time in the return game at Hampden Park three days later, scoring his first international goal and set up another in the 3-0 win that took the visitors into League A while relegating Steve Clarke's side to League B.

But, before the teenager trained with his team-mates at Hampden on Wednesday night, head coach Ivan Jovanovic explained: "He's been ill for a few days. Yesterday, he joined up with the team.

"Today, he will train and his situation will be evaluated at the training session and overnight, heading into tomorrow's game and with the hope that he's able to help fully going into the Denmark game as well."

Asked if he would gamble on Karetsas' fitness, Jovanavic added: "The question isn't so much if it's 50/50. We want to rely more on players that are 100% ready for their matches."

Two experienced defenders - Olympiacos' Panagiotis Retsos and Panathinaikos' Giorgos Kyriakopoulos - and PAOK midfielder Dimitrios Pelkas have dropped out the squad that faced Denmark last time out.

PAOK defender Giannis Michailidis has been drafted in, while there was a first call-up for 23-year-old striker Pantelidis Pavlos, who helped Kifisias win the Greek second tier last season.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

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Among other things on Thursday night, Steve Clarke will move level with Craig Brown as the man to manage in the most Scotland games.

The late Brown led Scotland 71 times and guided them to their most recent World Cup appearance in 1998.

For that alone, he's held in the highest regard by many. For Clarke, their connection runs much further back.

On the eve of equalling Brown's record, Clarke cited that while he's had "a half-decent career in management" he also had "a half-decent playing career".

Though he starred for Chelsea for over a decade after joining from St Mirren in 1987, Clarke only amassed six international caps.

The national team manager for five of the years Clarke spent in London? Brown.

"He was part of the set-up when I was away as an under-19 in Mexico," Clarke said of the former manager. "We knew each other a long time.

"I did forgive him for not picking me as much as national team manager."

Clarke has held that responsibility for six-and-a-half years now, and the one achievement he has yet to tick off is a World Cup appearance.

If Brown, who passed away two years ago, was alive today, Clarke is sure he'd "probably point out" the fact he was the last manager to lead Scotland on the biggest of stages.

Should Scotland pick up the two wins the head coach is eyeing up from this camp, then he will be on the brink of matching Brown once more.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

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Head coach Steve Clarke has been addressing the media on the eve of Scotland's World Cup qualifier at home to Greece.

Here are the key points he made:

• Clarke will equal Craig Brown's record as the man to lead Scotland in the most matches (71) but the current head coach "hasn't thought about it" because "I don't think I've finished yet".

• Clarke thanked the late Brown for the support he provided and said if Brown were still alive, he would "probably point out" the fact he was the manager who last took Scotland to a World Cup.

• The Scots have given themselves "a great platform" to reach next summer's tournament, though, but now they must "cement it with two home wins" against Greece and Belarus.

• The Greeks comfortably beat Scotland in March at Hampden and Clarke said it's simple to rectify that: "Play better".

• Though acknowledging the importance of the Greece encounter, Clarke said "it wouldn't be a disaster" if Scotland didn't win and even if they did, their opponents wouldn't be out of contention in the group.

• Max Johnston, who was a late introduction into camp, "pads the squad out" and isn't cover or replacement as the squad are "fit and ready".

• The 62-year-old head coach admitted he's "heard the name but couldn't name any songs" of Katy Perry, the global popstar who was staying at the same hotel as the Scotland squad.

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Derby County full-back Max Johnston has been called into the Scotland squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus.

The 21-year-old has been added to Steve Clarke's squad for the games at Hampden Park on Thursday and Sunday.

Johnston has four caps, having made his senior debut in a Uefa Nations League win over Greece in March this year.

The former Motherwell defender joined Derby from Austrian Bundesliga side Sturm Graz for an undisclosed fee in August.

Scotland are currently second in their World Cup qualifying group after two games, behind the leaders Denmark on goal difference, with the top side qualifying automatically and the runners-up facing a play-off.

Scotland midfielder John McGinn feels rejuvenated after having rest and a reset over the summer. (Record), external

Assistant coach Steven Naismith backs veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, to make it to the World Cup with Scotland. (Herald - subscription required), external

Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper Liam McFarlane was given the chance to train with the senior national squad this week. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney is Fifa's new finance committee chairperson. (Herald - subscription required), external

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Captain Andy Robertson says Scotland have put themselves in a prime position to reach next summer's World Cup finals but "can't afford to have another off day" against Greece on Thursday.

Steve Clarke's side sit level on points with Denmark and one ahead of Greece after drawing away to Denmark and winning in Belarus.

"It's a good start," Robertson said in an interview with the Scottish FA. "It is a bit of a sprint this time. It's not a long campaign, it's only six games.

"It'll be over next month and you need to get yourself in position. I think we've done that well in September. Now we've got two home games and we have to try and make home advantage count.

"We have to be at our best to do that. At times, we've not done that, but I thought we got back to our best in September."

However, the Greeks prevailed 3-0 when they last visited Hampden, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory in the Nations League play-off in March.

"The last time we faced Greece here was obviously a huge disappointment and obviously we've got to try and learn from that game and learn from the mistakes," Liverpool left-back Robertson said.

"Obviously, in a two-legged play-off, coming back with a 1-0 victory away was as best as we could hope for really.

"The first-half performance, I thought we were excellent. The second half was a bit backs-to-the-wall and probably they deserved more out of the game, so we knew we then had to be better in the second game and unfortunately we weren't.

"I think there were different factors to that, but as long as we can put some of them right on Thursday then it will give us a much better chance. I believe in this squad massively, I believe in this team.

"Unfortunately, sometimes you do have off-days and that was definitely one of them."

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Lawrence Shankland has not given up on his World Cup dream despite missing out on the current squad poised to face Greece and Belarus in European qualifying Group C.

Steve Clarke decided to stick with the same strikers who helped his side draw in Denmark and win away to Belarus in last month's opening games of the campaign.

As the Scotland squad prepare to host Greece on Thursday, Hearts striker Shankland was picking up his Scottish Premiership player of the month award.

It was reward for scoring three goals in two games during September to become the league's top marksman this season - and the leading scorer over the 12 years since the SPFL was established - while helping his side to the top of the table.

Asked if he was especially disappointed not to be in Clarke's current squad given those facts, Shankland told Sky Sports: "You always want to be involved if you can.

"Obviously there's a World Cup not too far round the corner as well, so hopefully the boys can keep getting the results.

"I'll keep doing what I do at club level and hopefully if the opportunity arises again then you just stay ready for it.

"Everybody who is Scottish around the world would want to be at a World Cup.

"I have had the experience of being at the Euros and stuff in the last campaign and you just stay ready and keep doing what you do for your club."

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Kenny McLean is sure somebody from the Scotland squad will emerge as "a hero" this week as they look to capitalise on the "good spot" in their World Cup qualifying group when facing Greece and Belarus at Hampden.

The Norwich midfielder grabbed a last-gasp winner against Norway in June 2023, a key result on the way to Euro 2024, and also scored in the penalty shootout wins over Israel and Serbia in qualifying four years earlier.

"I don't care who puts ourselves in a position to make us successful - it's about doing that and being there," the 33-year-old said.

"I've been fortunate to have a couple of big moments in a Scotland jersey. Everybody wants those moments, it is the pinnacle.

"But, whoever it is, there'll be somebody who is a hero this week, I'm sure."

Scotland began the campaign with a 0-0 draw with Denmark in Copenhagen before a 2-0 win over Belarus in Hungary and McLean admits getting to the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico would be a career high.

"I think it tops most things, really," he said. "When everybody speaks about career achievement and stuff, international football, that's where everybody wants to be. The World Cup is the pinnacle.

"We've got an opportunity right now and it's about taking that opportunity because we know we've got the quality here to do that.

"Where we are at right now, we've got to be in a good spot, pretty optimistic about our chances.

"We know that home games are where you ought to pick up points and we'll try to maximise that this week."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

"I can honestly say if he were of a different nationality, another middle-ranking country, he would have been in the squad."

Derek Rae's disappointment at Oliver Burke's continued Scotland omission runs deep.

The German football commentator has watched Burke's rise in the Bundesliga from when he first joined RB Leipzig back in 2016 and he insists the striker is so much more than people back home assume.

Burke, who won the last of his 13 caps in 2020, had bundled down the pecking order after a series of unsuccessful spells aligned with the rise of new international front-liners.

But he shot back into the selection conversation a matter of weeks ago when he became the first Scot to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga for Union Berlin.

Head coach Steve Clarke said he received many messages about the 28-year-old, but neglected to include him in his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus.

And Rae thinks it's a mistake.

"I'm quite disappointed as a Bundesliga commentator and as a Scot that he hasn't been picked," he told BBC Scotland.

"He's the fastest player in the Bundesliga, that's official, and scored a hat-trick for Union away to Frankfurt recently.

"I watch him every week and the trend for him goes back over several months and I can honestly say if he were of a different nationality, another middle-ranking country, he would have been in the squad.

"Maybe we're better off as a country when it comes to attacking players than I think we are.

"I think he would offer something different and I think his pace alone and the fact that he is scoring goals, he tailors up.

"I think he's somebody who merited a call, but not my decision ultimately."

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Goalkeeper Scott Bain retains ambitions of a Scotland recall as he relishes a return to regular action with Falkirk following his summer move from Celtic.

The 33-year-old won the last of his three caps in 2019 but is thriving with the newly-promoted Bairns, whose 1-1 draw with Rangers on Sunday led to the dismissal of Russell Martin.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has said the goalkeeping position is a "concern", with the three choices for this week's 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus - Liam Kelly, Craig Gordon and Angus Gunn - not playing regularly or at all for their clubs this season.

"It's not my decision or I'd already be in there," Bain said.

"It's the decision for the Scotland manager and all I can do is continue to do what I'm doing here.

"I know there's another camp in another month. So he'll have a decision to make in another month, so we'll see where we are at.

"It'd be great [to be recalled]. I'm on my own little sort of focused journey at the minute where I've been playing one, two games a season for the last sort of three, maybe even four years.

"So I've been taking it sort of day by day, game by game and credit to the manager, it took me a while in pre-season to start to get my eye in and get going.

"He stuck by me and he put me in and I'm just going into games and trying to sort of repay that faith that he had in me.

"He's seen something in me that he thought I could help the team and I feel like I'm doing that."

Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn has held talks with new Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou about a January exit from the City Ground after being left frustrated that the first-team football he was promised when he joined has failed to materialise. (The Herald), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith has been speaking to the media before this week's World Cup qualifiers against Greece (Thursday) and Belarus (Sunday).

Here are the main points:

• Naismith says the national squad is targeting maximum points from the October international break as "we want to get to November and have it in our own hands" when it comes to qualifying for next year's finals.

• He is adamant there's "optimism" within the whole squad about their ability to make the so-called "greatest show on earth" for the first time since France 1998.

• The former Hearts boss says the coaching staff and players all have "a clear idea" of what needs to improve to realise their goal and that there's a renewed "calmness" about the group that didn't use to be the case when he was an international player.

• Naismith accepts that excitement levels are higher than usual in and out the Scotland squad and that there's "a real desire and hunger to get to a World Cup".

• He's expecting an "electric atmosphere" for the visit of the Greeks on Thursday and accepts there are only "fine margins" between the three sides expected to challenge for the automatic passage to America (Denmark, Greece and Scotland).

• Naismith describes Scotland as being "in a great place" and points to the re-emergence of full-back Aaron Hickey as "looking like a different animal". He also name-checked veterans like captain Andy Robertson and midfielders John McGinn and Scott McTominay as the drivers of high standards in the group.

• After a promising first international camp, Clarke's right-hand man wants the team now to "back that up with two wins, that's the hope, that's what we want".

• He adds: "There will be twists and turns in such a short campaign but we're confident."

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Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn admits a January exit from Nottingham Forest could be on the cards if he remains on the sidelines in an effort to keep his spot in Steve Clarke's squad.

The 29-year-old joined Forest from Norwich on a one-year deal in the summer but he failed to get any game time under Nuno Espirito Santo and since Ange Postecoglou took over in September, he has remained as number three to Matz Sels and John Victor.

Gunn's only two appearances this season were in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus last month, helping Steve Clarke's side to four points, and he hopes to keep his place for this week's home games against Greece and Belarus.

"I went into a situation at the club where I thought I'd be getting, obviously not regular game time, but some game time in terms of cups and things like that," he said.

"It's not really materialised, which I'm disappointed about.

"But obviously I've still got the chance to come away here and get the opportunity to play, like in the last two games.

"The thing for me, it's not a long-term contract, so there's definitely options, even in January, to possibly reconsider."

Gunn believes the two recent international appearances, in the goalless draw against Denmark in Copenhagen and the 2-0 win over Belarus in Hungary, stands him in good stead.

"It is a positive for me that the camps aren't too far apart," he added.

"It was not that long ago when we had those two games and I felt good.

"I wouldn't say comfortable but I was happy with my performances and I just want to take the confidence from that into this camp and, hopefully, go again.

"If I look back at the last two games I was very pleased. I wouldn't say I was overly worked, I think the lads in front of me did extremely well.

"But I was comfortable in everything I did and I was confident and those two games gave me even more confidence.

"So I think, just take it game by game and try and build on that really."

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Che Adams equalled Scotland legend Denis Law's goals total for Torino as he ended a six-month scoring drought for the Serie A club just in time to rejoin the national squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus.

The 29-year-old stabbed home his 10th goal for Toro from 12 yards, three minutes after coming on as a substitute, to fire his side level at 2-2 in a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Lazio.

Although Adams has scored four times for Scotland in the meantime, it was his first for Torino since April, not helped by the fact he has yet to start a Serie A game this season.

Afterwards, he expressed his hope that head coach Marco Baroni would play two strikers in future.

"I like playing with another striker as a partner," he said. "You saw that last season when I played up front with Duvan Zapata."

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is unlikely to deviate from his usual one-up-front policy against the Greeks at Hampden on Thursday and Adams was the only one of his four strikers to score over the weekend.

Lyndon Dykes was given a rare start, ahead of former Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi, in Birmingham City's 1-1 draw with Wrexham, while George Hirst started in Ipswich Town's 3-1 win over Norwich City and Kieron Bowie did likewise in Hibernian's 1-0 loss to Heart of Midlothian.

While Craig Gordon made a welcome return to the Hearts squad, the veteran goalkeeper was on the bench at Tynecastle, as was Liam Kelly for Rangers, while recent national number one Angus Gunn was again not chosen in the Nottingham Forest squad.

Kieran Tierney and national captain Andy Robertson were others to start on the bench.

However, Tierney came on for the last half hour to help Celtic come from 2-1 down to beat Motherwell 3-2, while Liverpool equalised shortly after fellow left-back Robertson came on against Chelsea only to lose in stoppage time.

Aaron Hickey started his second game in a row at left-back as Brentford lost 1-0 at home to Manchester City but is more likely to compete for a Scotland starting place on the right with Anthony Ralston, who returned to Celtic's starting XI on Sunday.

Ryan Christie and Ben Gannon Doak were both 78th-minute substitutes for Bournemouth as they came from 1-0 down to beat Fulham 3-1, with the latter providing a deft assist for their breakaway third in stoppage time.

Billy Gilmour was again on the Napoli bench but came on as a 44th-minute substitute for the injured Stanislas Lobotka as he and Scott McTominay helped their side come from a goal down to beat Genoa and top Serie A on goal difference from Roma.

Not so good news for the other Scottish Serie A midfielders, with Lewis Ferguson and Lennon Miller both unused substitutes for Bologna and Udinese respectively.

In Croatia, Scott McKenna suffered a 2-1 defeat away to third-top Lokomotiva, although his Dinamo Zagreb side still lead on goal difference.

Meanwhile, fellow centre-backs Grant Hanley and John Souttar also both played 90 minutes for Hibs and Rangers respectively.

And John McGinn played 67 minutes of Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Burnley, while fellow midfielder Kenny McLean captained Norwich City in their 3-1 defeat by Ipswich Town.

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We asked for your views on Steve Clarke's Scotland squad selection for the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header at home to Greece and Belarus.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: The squad is probably as expected although the over-loyalty from Steve Clarke is going to end up costing us. Grant Hanley was excellent in Denmark so no arguments there but Anthony Ralston, Kenny McLean, Lyndon Dykes and George Hirst should not be there in my opinion. Clarke has picked the squad in his usual stubborn way.

Stuart: Clarke has picked his mates and the old guard, regardless of form. The goalie situation is a concern.

David: If we are starting with Angus Gunn in goals, the back-up need to be playing. Craig Gordon has only seen 30 seconds of playing time. I see no reason why Falkirk's Scott Bain wasn't called up. Age is no barrier and he is bang on form. A very decent option to have on the bench.

Thomas: The continued selection of Ralston is utterly baffling. Our squad is far too static, which will likely make things much easier for the opposition to work us out. It's dull and uninspiring.

Jimbo: For me, Lawrence Shankland should be straight in the team. Recent form is paramount, especially with strikers. Otherwise it's a good squad, although the goalkeeper situation is a concern.

Ally: Where is Scott Bain? He's making tremendous saves week in, week out in the Premiership. Clarke has instead selected players who have played no competitive minutes all season. Baffling.

Stephen: Happy enough with the squad. Max Johnston for Ralston and Shankland for Hirst would be my only changes. Ryan Gauld could bring balance to the team if we start with Ben Gannon-Doak. Hopefully he'll be in the squad in November.