Preview for Greece v Scotland
It’s crunch time for Scotland as they embark on an important few days that can decide their World Cup destiny.
Steve Clarke’s facet head to Athens tomorrow night time to face Greece earlier than returning residence for a recreation in opposition to Denmark on Tuesday night time.
Scotland go into the doubleheader second in Group C, behind the Danes on goal difference. Assuming Denmark beat pool whipping boys Belarus tomorrow, the Scots require no less than some extent in opposition to Greece to arrange a winer-takes-all conflict at Hampden with Brian Riemer’s facet subsequent week.
In the event that they do qualify, they’d sit at world soccer’s prime desk for the primary time since 1998.
However they might want to elevate their efficiency ranges considerably from their two shows in October. Shaky in beating Greece 3-1, they were downright awful in finding a way past Belarus, 2-1.
“We have to enhance from the final camp,” stated defender Scott McKenna. “Clearly the factors have been there, however the performances on the pitch weren’t of the extent anticipated and the extent we’ve been used to over the previous few years.
“After that final recreation the supervisor was fairly robust in his phrases and made it clear to everybody that that efficiency was effectively beneath the degrees anticipated, and if we wish to have any likelihood then we have to up our efficiency.”
Clarke is aware of this can be a golden likelihood for his staff to again up their qualification for the 2024 European Championship with an look on the worldwide stage, and is keen to speak up the positives.
He stated: “If anyone had stated going into the final month, the ultimate two video games, that one in all our greatest rivals [Greece] would already be out of the equation for the play-offs or computerized qualification, I feel all people would have taken that.
“So, we have to be disillusioned within the efficiency in opposition to Belarus however we additionally have to preserve a way of perspective that we’re in a very good place and might we capitalise on that within the two video games coming.”
Greece are third within the pool and can’t qualify. Head coach Ivan Jovanovic is reportedly on borrowed time with Thiago Motta linked with the job.
Crew Information for Greece v Scotland
Clarke has a number of choice posers to take care of.
First-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn is injured, so one in all Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly or Scot Bain will begin.
As well as, Aaron Hickey, Ben Gannon-Doak and Che Adams are a reserving away from a one-game suspension and vulnerable to lacking the Denmark recreation.
Billy Gilmour and Lennon Miller are injured.
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Fotis Ioannidis are unfit and gained’t be out there for Greece. Australia-born former Hibernian midfielder Nectarios Triantis has obtained his first call-up however will probably begin on the bench.
Predicted line-ups for Greece v Scotland
Greece: Vlachodimos; Rota, Restos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Zafeiris, Kourbelis; Karetsas, Bakasetas, Tzolis; Pavlidis
Scotland: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; McTominay, Ferguson, McGinn; Gannon-Doak, Adams, Christie
Learn how to watch Greece v Scotland: TV and on-line streams
Greece versus Scotland kicks off at 1945 UK time tomorrow night time. It may be watched on BBC Scotland and BBC Two from 1915.
Additionally it is out there on BBC iPlayer.
Stats for Greece v Scotland
- Scotland haven’t misplaced any of their final 5 aggressive video games away from residence
- Greece will probably be seeking to keep away from dropping 4 consecutive World Cup qualifiers for the primary time since 1973.
