Young Scots’ European exploits bode well for future and World Cup qualifying campaign

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Not since Brazil travelled to Mexico for the World Cup in 1970 has such a glittering array of talent been seen. With tensions in the Middle East on a knife edge, the war between Russia and Ukraine continuing to rage, US relations with China at a critical juncture and the planet facing unprecedented environmental challenges, what can possibly go wrong?

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It is to be hoped that the players who Steve Clarke has drafted in for the final Nations League double header against Croatia at Hampden next Friday night and Poland in Warsaw on Monday week do possess the skills and smarts needed to resurrect Scotland’s fortunes.  

Clarke had not exactly had his troubles to seek on the injury front since the national team has returned to action this season. He is still without Lewis Ferguson, Angus Gunn, Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Kieran Tierney. But he was this week able to name Tommy Conway, Jack Hendry, John McGinn and Scott McKenna in his 25 man squad for the forthcoming fixtures.

Can that quartet help the country end their 10 match winless run in competitive matches and avoid relegation from the A League of the competition? It is a big ask given the quality of the opposition they will once again face. Still, their presence will be most welcome.

(Image: INA FASSBENDER) Andy Robertson and his team mates have, despite the narrow defeats they have suffered at the hands of Poland, Portugal and Croatia, looked far more like the Scotland which beat Cyprus, Spain, Norway and Georgia and qualified for the Euro 2024 finals with two games to spare of late. Maybe the increased options the manager has in defence, midfield and attack will provide a cutting edge. 

Clarke baulked at suggestions that dropping down to the B League, where they would be pitted against lesser international rivals than they have during the past three months, might not be the worst thing ever on Monday. He is keen to end this campaign on a high and remain among the international elite.

He also wants Scotland to record morale-boosting wins and build up some much-needed momentum before World Cup qualifying gets underway. The opening game is – unless our brave boys finish second in their section and make it through to the Nations League quarter-finals – up in March.

Right-back remains, despite the assured showing of Anthony Ralston of Celtic in the 0-0 draw with Portugal at Hampden last month and the impact that Nicky Devlin of Aberdeen made after coming on in that encounter, an area of concern. Brentford defender Hickey, who is expected to be out for most of the 2024/25 season, and Patterson, who has returned to training at Everton, continue to be sorely missed.

But could Max Johnston emerge as an option in that problem position by the time the bid to reach Canada, Mexico and the United States is up and running?

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The former Motherwell kid started for Sturm Graz in their Champions League league phase match against Borussia Dortmund in the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday night and helped the Austrian outfit repel their German hosts during the hour he was on the park.  That was not something which Celtic were able to say when they played at the world-famous arena last month.

The 20-year-old, who was called into the senior national set-up in October, found himself up against Julian Brandt in North-Rhine Westphalia. He also kept Nuno Santos at bay after he took to the field against Sporting Lisbon last month. He will have benefitted enormously from being exposed to that calibre of footballer at that level.

(Image: Luca Amedeo Bizzarri) Elsewhere, it was heartening to see Ferguson continue his comeback from a serious knee injury in Europe’s premier club competition in midweek as well. The Serie A midfielder of the year came on towards the end of Bologna’s narrow defeat to Monaco over in Italy.

Beating Croatia at home and Poland away and staying in the A League will be, even with a few bodies back, some going by Scotland. But Che Adams, Ryan Christie, Billy Gilmour, Grant Hanley, McGinn, Scott McTominay and Robertson, mainstays who all underperformed at the Euros, are all looking far more like their old selves.

Ben Doak, Ryan Gauld, Lewis Morgan and Tommy Conway have, too, shown they are not at all fazed by the step up. And others are pushing hard for inclusion. Could Connor Barron feature in the coming days? It will be no surprise if he is handed game time given how well he has been playing for Rangers. He was brilliant against Conference League winners Olympiacos on Thursday night. 

Suddenly, the long-term future of the country is looking a little brighter. The same cannot, alas, be said in America.