A Huge Few Weeks Ahead for Scotland

Steve Clarke has announced his squad for the upcoming fixtures against Ukraine in the World Cup Playoff semi-final and a potential trip to Cardiff to face Wales in the final should Scotland progress. As well as these crucial ties, the national team must also face a trip to Dublin to face Ireland and a double- header against Armenia in the Nations League.

Scotland manager, Steve Clarke (Image: Getty)

After a long season for all the players they must now potentially play five games in the space of two weeks for their country. The postponed tie against Ukraine is arguably the biggest challenge Scotland have faced since that night in Belgrade in November 2020, which saw them progress to a major competition for the first time in over 20 years. The pressure is on for Clarke’s men as they look to make it two consecutive international tournaments in a row.

The squad selection raised a few eyebrows with the inclusion of four goalkeepers and a noticeable lack of wingers, while injury-stricken Billy Gilmour and Nathan Patterson have also been called up. Captain Andy Robertson will be meeting up with the players coming off the back of Saturday’s Champions League Final and a hectic fixture list for Scotland is the last thing he needs. Kieran Tierney also misses out through injury and will be a big miss for the squad as they approach the crunch tie on Wednesday at Hampden Park.

Scotland captain and Liverpool left-back, Andrew Robertson (Image: Getty)

With these injuries and fixture pile up, it will be tough couple of weeks for the squad as they look to send their country to Qatar in November. Progression would see Scotland placed in a group with USA, England and Iran, which includes the prospect of another tie against the Auld Enemy in two successive tournaments. Ukraine and Wales stand in the way of further success for Scotland and overcoming them will be no easy feat, but this Scotland side have exceeded expectations in recent years and many will be hoping for it to continue.