SM
Liverpool vs. Wolves: 1 hr 2 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
SN
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Nov 19, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
KN

3-1

McGinn (48', 91'), Naismith (64')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Zaynutdinov (34')

Scotland vs. Kazakhstan: Key talking points ahead of Euro 2020 qualifier

:Headline: Scotland vs. Kazakhstan: Key talking points ahead of Euro 2020 qualifier: ID:379821: from db_amp
Steve Clarke's side have no chance of qualifying through their group.

Scotland take on Kazakhstan in their final Euro 2020 qualifier at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

Steve Clarke's side have no chance of qualifying through the conventional method but can qualify through the Nations League play-offs which take place in March.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points ahead of the Scots' last Group I game of the campaign.

Three and easy

Scotland boss Steve Clarke at a press conference ahead of the Kazakhstan game (Ronnie Esplin/PA)

Boss Clarke is hoping to finish the doomed campaign with three consecutive wins.

The former West Brom and Kilmarnock manager started his reign with a home win over Cyprus but then suffered four consecutive defeats in the games against Russia and Belgium.

However, the 6-0 victory over San Marino at Hampden Park and the 2-1 win in Cyprus on Saturday increased the feel-good factor around the side and another victory against Kazakhstan would ensure third place in the section and keep momentum going.

Kazakhstan payback?

Alex McLeish gestures on the touchline during Scotland's loss in Kazakhstan (Adam Davy/PA)

Scotland never recovered from losing 3-0 in Kazakhstan in their Group I opener.

The shock result led to the departure of Alex McLeish after an expected San Marino win days later, and he was replaced by Clarke.

The former Scotland, St Mirren and Chelsea defender stressed that this game was no revenge mission but there is an opportunity for the Scots to show the visitors how much they have improved and end a disappointing campaign on a high.

Six is a magic number

John McGinn had another fruitful afternoon against Cyprus.

The Aston Villa midfielder scored the winner in the 53rd minute to make it five goals from his last five games for his country.

Another goal from him would make even better reading for Scotland who have not had regular scorers in quite a while.

Clarke will surely look to take advantage of the former St Mirren and Hibernian player's international form as he bids to extend their winning run.

Central defence solutions

Central defence has been a problem for Clarke.

Injuries, mostly, have prevented the Scotland boss from putting a regular pairing in place.

Motherwell's Declan Gallagher had an impressive debut in Cyprus at the weekend, playing alongside Scott McKenna.

Will he keep his place or will McKenna's Aberdeen team-mate Michael Devlin, a second-half substitute in Nicosia, be handed a start? Or will it be Gallagher and Devlin?

amp_article__379821 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-11-18 19:00:01:
html db last update - 2019-11-18 19:00:01 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Read more about Steve Clarke Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool24176158233557
2Arsenal25158251222953
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest25145641291247
4Manchester CityMan City25135752351744
5Bournemouth25127644291543
6Chelsea25127647341343
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2512584233941
8Fulham2510963833539
9Aston Villa2510873538-338
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2591063838037
11Brentford25104114342134
12Crystal Palace257992932-330
13Everton257992731-430
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2576122947-1827
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Ipswich TownIpswich2538142350-2717
19Leicester CityLeicester2545162555-3017
20Southampton2523201957-389
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .