Euro 2020 qualifying: Scotland v Kazakhstan – team news & build up

Tom English

BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer on BBC Sportsound

Quote Message: There are two clear problems going forward for Scotland, no strikers and no centre-backs. However, the bigger problem in this campaign has been at the back. Hopefully, John Souttar comes back to be the player we think he his, because with him and McKenna at centre-back, Tierney at right-back and Robertson at left-back, that has potential

There are two clear problems going forward for Scotland, no strikers and no centre-backs. However, the bigger problem in this campaign has been at the back. Hopefully, John Souttar comes back to be the player we think he his, because with him and McKenna at centre-back, Tierney at right-back and Robertson at left-back, that has potential

Remember, Scotland are without captain Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and Ryan Fraser, who all pulled out with injuries.

Arsenal also asked for Kieran Tierney to be excused from the original squad despite the left-back starting to play regularly following hip surgery.

“All the ones that have pulled out this time are genuinely injured. It’s not like they wanted to be pulled out or didn’t want to come,” said assistant head coach Alex Dyer last week.

Lawrence Shankland dropped out after the win in Cyprus, to be replaced by Eamonn Brophy, but the Dundee United striker is expected to be fit come Saturday.

Steven Naismith captains Scotland again, just a few days after winning his 50th cap.

The 33-year-old striker has only started twice in the league for Hearts in an injury-interrupted season, so his inclusion may raise a few eyebrows among followers of the Edinburgh side.

He played for 62 minutes in the win over Cyprus before making way for Oli McBurnie.

Runaway Group I leaders Belgium have breezed through qualifying and can make it 10 wins on the spin at home to Cyprus this evening.

Italy are the only other nation to get through with a 100% record.

The Red Devils, who demolished Scotland home and away, sit proudly at the top of the Fifa rankings and will fancy their chances of lifting the trophy at Wembley next summer. It could be the last chance for some of their ridiculously talented generation.

San Marino’s sorry goal difference is unlikely to improve at home to Russia.

Billy Dodds

Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Quote Message: Big players will come back in for the play-offs but it’s important Steve Clarke tries to pick similar teams. I think McKenna and Gallagher look like his main two centre-backs now.

Big players will come back in for the play-offs but it’s important Steve Clarke tries to pick similar teams. I think McKenna and Gallagher look like his main two centre-backs now.

Willie Miller

Former Scotland defender on BBC Radio Scotland

Quote Message: It looks like Steve Clarke is going for continuity by naming the same line-up. He wants to give a bit of recognition and confidence to the starting line-up following the win on Saturday. However, I’m sure that some of these players won’t take part in the play-offs if certain players come back from injury.

It looks like Steve Clarke is going for continuity by naming the same line-up. He wants to give a bit of recognition and confidence to the starting line-up following the win on Saturday. However, I’m sure that some of these players won’t take part in the play-offs if certain players come back from injury.

Manager Steve Clarke sticks with the same XI that started in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Cyprus in Nicosia.

It’s the first time he’s not made changes over the course of four double-headers.

The battle for third place – a long, long way behind automatic qualifiers Belgium and Russia – is not much of a selling point on a bitterly cold evening in Glasgow.

It would represent playing to our seeding, if Scotland avoid defeat this evening, and help ensure no further damage is done when it comes to the next draw – for World Cup 2022.

But this is all about building confidence and cohesion for the play-offs and getting a disaffected Tartan Army back on side.

Scotland XI:Marshall, Palmer, Gallagher, McKenna, Taylor, Jack, McGregor, Forrest, McGinn, Christie, Naismith.

Euro 2020 qualifying Group I draws to a close this evening.

The campaign has not been a lot of fun for Scotland, with aspirations of a top-two place pretty much torpedoed after a dismal opening match in Kazakhstan.

After a rapid change of manager, those dreams were officially snuffed out with three games to go following home and away defeats to the pool’s big dogs, Belgium and Russia.

So here we are facing Kazakhstan at Hampden with a third place finish up for grabs.

But there is a ray of hope in the form of the play-offs and that’s where the focus lies, with this the team’s last run-out before a home semi-final in March.

We’ll get to possible opponents at full-time since the list of nations may well change over the course of this evening.