Not only are Scotland in sight to secure first place in Nations League Group B1, but they are also hoping to tackle the small matter of a 3-0 defeat in Dublin in June.
Then there is the ceremonial aspect of the evening. Stand-in skipper John McGinn will receive a gold commemorative medal before the match as he becomes the last SFA Roll of Honor entrant to his 50th cap. Speaking yesterday, Scott McKenna recalled nearly bringing his teammate’s international career to an abrupt halt at just two caps.
The defender was sent off five years ago for a shocking tackle on McGinn, then with Hibs, while on loan to Ayr United of Aberdeen. Hibs won the Scottish Cup 3-1, with McGinn scoring the opener. “Luckily, we’ve both been able to move forward and are both doing well,” said McKenna, who will rejoin Jack Hendry in the mid-defense. “I still have the video on the phone to show him when I need to…!
“It’s great that we both managed to get this far from that day.”
Another packed house in Hampden can expect an eventful evening in the rollercoaster ride that is life with Clarke’s Scotland. It’s been just over three months since the team were booed and Clarke’s position has been the subject of some serious debate following today’s extended defeat to today’s opponents, which were inspired by a rousing performance by striker Michael Obafemi.
Clarke admits it was a blood-curdling evening, although he produced a typically droll reaction when a reporter ventured to suggest this was the manager’s low point with Scotland. ‘Were you not in Russia? Because I was lower in Russia,” Clarke said.
When it was possible – and desirable – to travel to Moscow, Scotland was on the wrong side of a 4-0 defeat that could easily have been much more serious.
The international side has been exploring ever since. While not always successful, it is rarely boring. Scotland are on the eve of promotion to League A. Clarke has overseen an upscaling in ambition. There are now few competitions that are not driven much.
It’s not beyond the home side’s options tonight to take first place and, by extension, secure a precious spot in the semi-finals of the Euro 2024 play-offs. If Ukraine drops points against Armenia in Yerevan this afternoon, a win will be enough for Scotland to achieve their goal with a game over. Clarke does not expect such a stress-free scenario.
“I think Ukraine will beat Armenia,” was his blunt prediction, sitting at the team base on the outskirts of Edinburgh. “My coaches are holding on to the hope that Armenia can get something out of the game. But for me I just focus on the fact that Ukraine will win. Then we have to handle the two games our way.”
While Clarke may be right, Scotland struggled in the first 30 minutes against Armenia in June. There’s also the inevitable political context that seems to add some spice to proceedings over 3,000 miles from Hampden. Armenia’s landlocked situation means it has long relied on Russia for security support. This week, on the occasion of Armenia’s Independence Day, President Putin reaffirmed the importance of friendly relations between the countries.
It is perhaps surprising that UEFA allowed the agreement between Russia’s allies and a country that has been in a real war with Russia in Armenia at all.
Journalists questioned Ukrainian manager Oleksandr Petrakov about the matter in Hampden on Wednesday night after Ukraine’s 3-0 defeat to Scotland. “It’s an official UEFA game,” said the team’s press spokesman, Oleksandr Hlyvynskyy. “It’s about football, nothing else. There are no security concerns.”
Clarke is lucky enough to only have to focus on football concerns – and he has a lot to be happy about. Two goals from corner kicks against Ukraine in the middle of the week means Scotland are now leading the way for regular goals in Europe – 11 in 11 games.
However, Clarke has emphasized to his players that they have only achieved the minimum so far. There is still much work to be done. Indeed, the hard graft begins now.
“Everyone was rightly impressed with the team in the midweek against Ukraine,” he said. “But I have told the players that all we have done with that win is that we are not relegated from the B league. We can still finish first, second or third in the group.
“The next game is the most important. We want to build towards that. We want to finish first. I have consistently said that. We still have a lot of work to do, then we can start thinking about play-offs … placements … what then.”
Aside from the injured Nathan Patterson, Clarke is unlikely to stray too far from the formation and identities of the players who played in the midweek win over Ukraine.
He will consider – to some extent – those who haven’t played much for their clubs so far this season, with a likely decisive re-match against Ukraine set to take place on Tuesday.
“We have to make a decision about a few of them,” Clarke said.
Kieran Tierney, Stuart Armstrong and Hendry have all been used sparingly by their clubs so far this season due to injury and others are preferred.
“When the players come to me, I borrow them,” Clarke added. “My job is to win games for Scotland.
“I try to treat all players the best I can,” he added. “But if I have to play players in all three games in such a short time, that’s what I have to do.”
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