Hello everyone! Domestic football is put on hold for the next eight days as international friendlies take centre stage. Tonight, there are five fixtures in the calendar, but right here we will be focusing on the friendly between
Czech Republic and Scotland in Prague.
While most nations are preparing for this summer's European Championships, that is not the case for Scotland.
Gordon Strachan's side failed to qualify for the finals in France, so their next objective is the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, which gets underway in September. Tonight's match will give Strachan the opportunity to look at a few of his young talents as a hoard of uncapped players were called into the squad. Those who do not feature tonight could have a chance against Denmark on Tuesday.
As for
Pavel Vrba's Czech side, they are preparing for Euro 2016 as they managed to qualify at the top of their group. They will face Croatia, Turkey and reigning champions Spain in Group D when the tournament kicks off in June. Taking on Scotland on home turf is part of their preparations and as we are just three months away from the Euros, tonight's match will give Vrba a good opportunity to test his squad. He will do so again when his team face Sweden next week.
Right, let's bring you the lineups shall we?
SCOTLAND XI: McGregor; Hutton, Martin, Berra, Robertson, Mulgrew; Snodgrass, Fletcher, McLean, Anya; McCormack
Subs: Bain, Greer, Bannan, Caddis, McDonald, Phillips, Watt
CZECH REPUBLIC XI: Koubek; Limbersky, Kadlec, Sivok, Kaderabek; Darida, Vacek; Dockal, Frydek, Sural; Necid
The big news for Scotland is that Kenny McLean makes his senior debut as he has been thrown in the starting lineup. Steven Fletcher and Steven Naismith are not available tonight due to illness and injury respectively, so Strachan has opted to play Ross McCormack up front.
Scott Bain, Kevin McDonald, Tony Watt and Paul Caddis are the other uncapped players in the squad tonight and they are all given spots on the bench. In terms of the starting XI, Allan McGregor takes his place in goal, with Alan Hutton, Russell Martin, Christophe Berra, Andrew Robertson and Charlie Mulgrew in defence.
Robert Snodgrass, Darren Fletcher and
Ikechi Anya will line up with McLean in midfield, and as mentioned, McCormack will lead the line.
As for the Czechs, well, head coach
Pavel Vrba has named uncapped duo Martin Frydek and goalkeeper Tomas Koubek in his side this evening. Elsewhere, David Limbersky, Michal Kadlec, Tomas Sivok and Pavel Kaderabek line the defence. Vladimir Darida and Kamil Vacek will sit in midfield, with Borek Dockal, Josef Sural and Frydek providing attacking support to striker Tomas Necid.
The home side have been ever so kind to give us a glimpse of the dressing room.
As mentioned, Scotland did not manage to grab a place in the finals of Euro 2016 so they now look ahead to 2018 World Cup qualifying in September. Tonight's friendly in Prague and the following friendly against Denmark will give Strachan the chance to learn more about the players that he has available.
Prior to this match, Strachan told
Sky Sports News: "We could have picked easy games, the next four friendlies could have been easy, but we will really judge the players when they go to play top international sides like Czech Republic.
"We need to play these teams to find out if we have the players that can come through and play at this level, be comfortable at this level and work in the system that we will try and work on. We feel we have right good players, they have got good players. Ability is a huge factor. Playing as a team, that is what we try to do.
"At the moment we have not got great players, but we have a great group of players who want to do well for the country and are willing to put themselves out for the country. We make ourselves into a very good side by application, which we have seen this week and so that is what we are trying."
So, why are Scotland not in the pot for the Euros? Well, they missed out on a qualifying spot as they finished fourth in Group A behind Germany, Poland and the Republic of Ireland. They won four of their group matches, lost three and drew three. It was a difficult start for the Scots as they had to take on world champions Germany in their opening qualifier. Ikechi Anya managed to cancel out Thomas Muller's first-half goal in the 66th minute, but the Bayern Munich star ended Scotland's hopes of a draw when he notched the winner four minutes after his opponent's equaliser.
Scotland went on a decent run between October 2014 and June 2015 as they were unbeaten in their next four qualifiers. Shaun Maloney and Steven Naismith gave the Scots a 2-1 lead over Poland after 57 minutes, but they were eventually restricted to a 2-2 draw. In their next qualifier, Maloney was among the goals again as he was the only one to score in the clash against the Republic of Ireland at Celtic Park.
In March 2015, Scotland claimed back-to-back qualifier wins as they sealed a resounding 6-1 triumph over Gibraltar and their unbeaten run continued with a 1-1 draw over Ireland. The decent run of results came to an end when they were undone by a singe goal against Georgia. Their next game was an exciting one for the neutral, but they ended up on the losing end of a 3-2 scoreline against Germany.
Muller gave the world champions the lead in the 18th minute, but an own goal by Mats Hummels put Scotland right back in the match. Muller scored again, but James McArthur struck two minutes before the half-time whistle to leave the match nicely poised at 2-2. Strachan's side were unable to add to the scoreline in the second half, though, and were beaten by Ilkay Gundogan's 54th-minute goal.
After losing to Germany in September, Scotland were already four points off third place and a subsequent 2-2 draw with Poland and 6-0 thumping over Gibraltar was not enough to earn Strachan and his men a spot in the Euro 2016 finals.
It is a completely different story for Czech Republic as they managed to top Group A with seven wins out of 10. They lost twice and recorded a single draw in the qualifying campaign. Vrba will name is squad for the Euros after friendlies against Scotland and Sweden, so tonight it is up to the players to stake a place in the setup.
Prior to the match, Vrba spoke of his decision to call up Sparta Prague trio Martin Frydek, Lukas Marecek and Jakub Brabec. He is quoted by
CCP as saying: "Our upcoming matches are the last chance to see the players before the final preparations for the Euros.
"And it is also the last opportunity where we can try certain things. This is why we chose to take these players now. Frydek, Marecek and Brabec have been called up following very good performances for their club.
"They have done well in the Europa League, where Sparta has been successful. As with the result against Krasnodar earlier in the competition, they played a very good game in Rome. Even on Sunday against Slavia they did very well."
Let's just quickly bring you some images of the Scotland team warming up. Not long to go now!
So, how did the Czechs earn their place in the finals? Well, that were placed in Group A with Iceland, Turkey, Netherlands, Kazakhstan and Latvia. The shock news that came out of the group was that the Netherlands failed to qualify. They ended up finishing fourth in the standings behind Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey.
The demise of the Dutch began in the opening qualifiers when Czech Republic sealed a 2-1 win in September 2014. Borek Dockal gave the hosts the lead after 22 minutes, but they were restricted to 1-1 in the second half when Stefan de Vrij scored. The game looked destined for a draw, but a 91st-minute goal from substitute Vaclav Pilar did enough to give the Czechs all three points.
Czech Republic won their next three qualifiers on the bounce - a 2-1 triumph over Turkey, a 4-2 victory over Kazakhstan and a 2-1 victory over Iceland. The only concern for the nation was that they had conceded in every game and that proved to be a problem against Latvia as they needed a late 90th-minute goal from Pilar to rescue a point.
In June 2015, the team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Iceland on away soil, which was their first loss in the qualifying campaign, but they managed to respond with a 2-1 triumph at home to Kazakhstan. A 2-1 win over Latvia followed, but they were dealt a blow when Turkey ran out 2-0 winners in Prague.
The result did not hamper Czech Republic's chances of qualifying, though, and they rounded off their campaign by hammering the final nail in the Netherlands' coffin as they sealed a 3-2 victory in Amsterdam.
STAT! Now, you're probably wondering who has regularly come out on top in previous meetings between the Czech Republic and Scotland? And the answer is... Czech Republic. They have won four of the last six internationals against the Scots, and lost just the one and drew the other. The last three times that the nations have met in the Czech Republic, the home side have won all of them.
There is some good news for Scotland, though, as Strachan has just lost two friendlies since taking charge of the team, and both were against England. He has guided the Scots to five wins and two draws and is looking for back-to-back away wins for the first time since March 2014.
Only a few minutes to go now until kickoff!
There's a minute's silence following the sad news of the death of Dutch legend Johan Cruyff. The silence is also for respect to the victims of the terror attacks in Brussels.
KICKOFF! We're underway at the Stadion Letna! Fingers crossed for a good game.
Scotland have shown attacking intent in these early stages, but it costs them when Fletcher's tackle is late on Darida on the right half-way line. The Scotland captain has got away with a yellow card there!
Anya earns a corner for the visitors and it's taken short by debutant McLean, but there's some miscommunication between himself and Robertson and the ball ends up trickling behind for a goal kick.
It's been a decent start from the visitors and they definitely have the backing of the crowd as the travelling fans are chanting the loudest at the moment!
OFF THE BAR! Despite a positive start from Scotland, it's the hosts that have created the best chance at scoring. Czech Republic get an opportunity from a free kick on the edge of the box after Berra fouled Darida. Dockal lines up to take it and his shot clatters off the crossbar before McGregor clears the ball.
GOAL! CZECH REPUBLIC 0-1 SCOTLAND (ANYA)
Scotland take the lead! The home side squander a chance and then a couple of minutes later, Strachan's men make theirs count. The visitors launch a counter-attack and McCormack sends a through ball for Anya, who drills the ball under the keeper.
The Czechs try to respond as they get another opportunity from a free kick. Dockal takes it quickly and sends a cross into the area, but none of his teammates can latch onto it.
CHANCE! Necid comes close to finding an equaliser as he receives the ball in the box from a short corner. Mulgrew does well to defend his post and then McGregor finishes the work by palming the header wide.
SAVE! Scotland are under the cosh a bit now! Czech debutant Frydek unleashes a shot on the half-volley, but McGregor is able to tip the ball over the bar.
McGregor makes another stop! This time from Sural, who receives the ball back after his initial cross was weak. He aims the ball from a narrow angle, but the keeper is there to save.
Necid once again searches for an equaliser and he goes it alone by firing a shot from 22 yards out, but his attempt goes straight down the middle to the keeper.
Robertson prevents Sural from getting on the ball by diverting it out for a corner, which is taken quickly by the home side, but it fails to trouble McGregor and Scotland get a free kick after Kaderabek fouls Mulgrew.
Scotland manage to get the ball down the other end, but it's wasted by Anya, who sends a cross into the box, but Koubek comes off his line and comfortably catches the ball.
Czech Republic shout for a penalty, more specifically Dockal does, for what he believes to be handball from Berra in the box. The referee waves away his claims, though.
BOOKING! The first yellow card of the game goes to Limbersky after he brought down Snodgrass off the ball.
CHANCE! Close for Scotland! McCormack crosses into the area searching for McLean at the back post, but Sivok is there to head clear.
Frydek fouls Fletcher on the right edge of the penalty area, giving Scotland a free kick. Snodgrass lines up to take it, but his effort smashes into the wall.
CHANCE! Limbersky puts pressure on the Scotland defence, but Snodgrass does well to scramble the ball clear. The visitors then charge down the other end and Mulgrew whips in a cross, but McCormack cannot get on the end of it.
Scotland look to end the half on the frontfoot as Snodgrass sends in a cross from the right flank. The ball is flicked on by Mulgrew, but his attempt goes over the bar.
HALF-TIME: CZECH REPUBLIC 0-1 SCOTLAND
The referee blows for half-time and while they have been under a lot of pressure at times, Scotland lead 1-0 thanks to Ikechi Anya's strike in the 10th minute. Czech Republic have had numerous chances to find an equaliser, but it has not happened for them so far, mainly because of some decent saves from Allan McGregor. You feel, though, that if Scotland come out with the same approach in the second half, they could concede a few. We'll return for it shortly!
RESTART! We're back underway in Prague? Will Scotland see out the victory or will Czech Republic bounce back?
CZECH SUB: The hosts have made one change at the break. Frydek makes way for Skalak.
Czech Republic come out on the frontfoot as Kaderabek gets into space in the box before drilling a low shot, but it's deflected and is easier for McGregor to get his hands on.
Necid would have been in a decent position to get a shot away if he had stayed onside, but he was unable to do so while trying to get in behind Scotland's defence. The assistant referee rightly raises his flag.
Czech Republic ramp up the pressure on Scotland as Limbersky sends a cross into the area, but Berra stays close to Necid to stop the forward from getting a decent header away. The danger is not over, though, as Sural unleashes from eight yards out but Hutton blocks the shot.
CHANCE! So close for McLean! The debutant drills a low shot from a tight angle after latching onto Anya's pass, but his effort is just wide of the post.
Sural and Dockal link up with a neat one-two, but the ball ends up going behind for a corner after Hutton makes a block. The corner is played short, but Scotland manage to clear.
SCOTLAND SUBS: Phillips and Bannan are brought onto the pitch, replacing McLean and Robertson.
CHANCE! Scotland have found some rhythm in these last couple of minutes. They win a corner, but the hosts fail to clear the danger and the ball drops back to Snodgrass, who finds Phillips. The substitute connects for a header, but Koubek manages to grab the ball.
Snodgrass earns a free kick 30 yards out after nicking the ball off the home side in the middle of the park. McCormack takes the set piece, but his shot is fired into the wall.
Scotland get another free kick and Snodgrass is the man to take this one. He whips the ball into the area and as it aims for the near post, the home side clear.
CZECH SUB: The hosts make another change as Dockal comes off for Vydra.
The visitors are still knocking on the door. This time Phillips breaks away from his marker down the right before finding Snodgrass at the back post. The midfielder gets on the end of it, but his header from eight yards out goes wide.
PENALTY DENIED! Oh dear, Hutton is not happy! Scotland should be awarded a penalty after Hutton gets tackled by Limbersky, but the referee is not having it.
PENALTY DENIED! This time it's Czech Republic who have been denied a chance to convert from the spot-kick. Vydra goes to ground after being tackled from Berra, but the referee waves away the claims. The Czechs have a case though!
CZECH, SCOTLAND SUBS: Vacek and Sural make way for Marecek and Pudil, while Watt makes his senior debut for Scotland after replacing McCormack.
SAVE! McGregor keeps Scotland leading by making a very good stop! Pudil unleashes a low shot, but the keeper manages to tip the ball wide.
MISS! Phillips squanders the chance to give Scotland a 2-0 lead. The winger gets on the end of Anya's cross, but his header from eight yards out goes wide.
CZECH, SCOTLAND SUBS: More changes from the sidelines as Rada comes on for Darida and goalscorer Anya comes off for Caddis.
There will be three minutes of added time. The Czechs are running out of time to get something out of this game.
FULL-TIME: CZECH REPUBLIC 0-1 SCOTLAND
Fantastic win for Scotland! They have secured back-to-back away wins for the first time since March 2014 thanks to a 1-0 triumph over the Czech Republic this evening. Ikechi Anya was the difference as he scored in the 10th minute. Next up for Scotland is a friendly against Denmark, while the Czechs continue their Euro 2016 preparations with a game against Sweden next week. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!