Preview: Scotland set for Hampden showdown against Denmark
Scotland eh? Somehow, despite losing 3-2 against Greece in Piraeus, Steve Clarke’s men still have a chance to seal automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The catch? Beat Denmark at a sold out Hampden on Tuesday evening. Easier said than done.
Scotland’s fate is in their own hands
The clash against Greece had everything. A stunning comeback was on the cards, but the Scots simply ran out of time in the end.
Thanks to the Danes slipping up against Belarus, drawing 2-2 against a side who had lost all four of their matches in the group, Scotland can still win the group with a win on Tuesday.
If so, a ticket to North America will be sealed. Anything but three points and it will be another foray through the playoffs.
Scotland only started playing while trailing in Greece on Saturday and Clarke’s tactical approach must change ahead of the do or die showdown with Denmark.
Bringing on Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna with 15 minutes left and chasing an equaliser was hardly throwing the kitchen sink at the Greek defence.
The good news is, Denmark are beatable. But, and it’s a massive but, the system has to change.
The saying goes that you cant teach an old dog new tricks. If Clarke persists with the same old philosophy on Tuesday, then the Danes will be licking their lips.
Denmark aiming to make history
The Danes are looking to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup – a record for the country.
They really should have wrapped it up against Belarus, but it took a late Gustav Isaksen goal to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat in Copenhagen.
Denmark’s recent record against Scotland will give Clarke some confidence. Indeed, dating back to 2004, the Danes have won just once across five meetings.
The last time the two teams met at Hampden? Scotland won 2-0 in what was the final World Cup qualifying match for the 2022 edition.
As good an omen as any for the Scots.
Team news
Angus Gunn will still be missing, suggesting Craig Gordon retains his place between the posts.
It looks as though Billy Gilmour and Lennon Miller will also miss out, despite it looking as though they could return to the squad ahead of the match on Tuesday.
The Danes, however, could potentially be facing a small crisis. Rasmus Højlund and Joachim Anderson missed the draw with Belarus due to a sickness bug.
Head coach Brian Riemer is concerned that this could spread to other members of the squad.
“Is it a worry ahead of Scotland? Yes, if you ask me if I would have wished that there had been no illness, and that there also will not be on Tuesday, then of course that’s the answer. But that’s natural,” said the manager.
Prediction
Following Scotland is never the easiest of journeys, never mind when the nation stands one win away from a first World Cup since 1998.
The game will be tight, but with the backing of the Tartan Army, I predict a narrow and tense 1-0 victory that sends the country into raptures worthy of a national holiday.
Then again, I predicted a 1-1 draw against Greece, so make of that what you will.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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