With the nation collectively biting their nails in anticipation for Scotland’s biggest international game in a decade, we thought it would be a good idea to give you a guide to Scotland’s ‘must-pick’ players ahead of the match.
Steve Clarke will be expected to announce his Scotland squad on the 3rd of November to face Serbia in the all-important Nations League play off final.
Scotland’s opponents are Serbia. The south-eastern European side boast a number of world-class players which will be looking to condemn the Scotland players to their living rooms over the summer.
However, the Serbian FA announced yesterday evening that Ajax midfielder Dusan Tadic will be forced out of the side after a positive COVID-19 test.
Scotland, however, will still have to be at their brilliant best in order to secure a place at the Euro 2020 competition next year.
Here are Brig’s ‘must-include’ players for the team’s most important game in a decade:
Kieran Tierney – The industrious left-back was missing from Clarke’s previous squad to face Israel as he was forced to self-isolate after coming in contact with coronavirus.
The Arsenal defender has recently been involved in a win over Manchester United at the weekend, with another stellar performance at the back which saw him collect a clean sheet at Old Trafford against the Red Devils.
Tierney also slots right into the team as he plays a similar role at The Gunners to Steve Clarke’s Scotland side.
The ex-Celtic man slots right into the left centre-half role with ease.
Ryan Christie – Christie was also missing along with Tierney for the previous international match.
The Celtic man would be a fantastic addition to the squad as he has been in great form, where creativity and goals has been hard to come by in recent times for The Hoops.
Christie helped Celtic on their way to a Scottish Cup victory over Aberdeen with a crucial goal in the first half.
A creative midfielder providing ammunition for Scotland’s forwards would help us ensure that we aren’t sitting at home next summer.
Lyndon Dykes – QPR new-boy Dykes was instrumental to wins over Israel, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The energetic forward was at the epicentre of most dangerous moves that the Scots had engineered over the international break, and it would be unthinkable to drop him now.
The ex-Livingston and Queen of the South scorer also formed a productive partnership with Ryan Fraser up top, which asked questions of pace to their opponents.
Scotland should be lining up with Dykes and Fraser at the forward areas of the pitch to ensure the Serbian defence have plenty to think about.
Liam Palmer – At the right wing-back slot, Liam Palmer of Sheffield Wednesday would provide excellent defensive support while also supplying crosses to the forwards.
Stephen O’Donnell was trusted with this position in the previous games for Scotland.
While O’Donnell has performed admirably for his club, he has looked out of sorts on international duty, and has been called out by Scotland fans in the past.
Giving Palmer the nod for the wing back position would be a good call ahead of our all-important match next Thursday.
Ryan Jack – Lining up next to John McGinn in the midfield should be Ryan Jack.
The Rangers midfielder claimed a man of the match performance in the Glasgow derby against Rangers where his passing ability was on full display, rarely giving the ball away.
That type of confidence with the ball and picking out team-mates will be a vital asset to Steve Clarke’s side.
What are your predictions for the squad announcement? What do you think the score will be when the day arrives?
Let us know by reaching out to us on our new twitter account https://twitter.com/brig_sports
Featured Image Credit: The National
Second year student at University of Stirling studying Sport and Journalism.
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