Rising expectation around the Scottish national team means there is seldom a pause for thought. This is also the reason that, should Steve Clarke guide his country to the World Cup, the demand will be that Scotland make a proper impact rather than suffer the same miserable fate of the past two European Championships. There is Scott McTominay, Andy Robertson and Billy Gilmour, after all. Those demanding utopia ignore the third-choice goalkeeper at Nottingham Forest and that the most reliable goal threat is not guaranteed a start at Birmingham City.
Another reality is that Scotland have not topped a World Cup qualifying section since they progressed to Spain 82. It would be bold to assert Clarke’s men will repeat that feat more than four decades on, but they suddenly have a huge opportunity. Victory over Belarus at Hampden Park on Sunday evening – and if they cannot achieve that, they do not deserve to feature in a World Cup – would take them to within two games of glory. If Scotland take three points and Denmark defeat Greece, a playoff spot will be secure. All evidence, though, is that they should aim higher. Their consistency is highlighted by only three losses in 23 World Cup qualifying games. A dozen years have passed since Scotland were beaten in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden. The variation in strength of playoff opposition provides an element of risk Scotland would rather avoid.
There was bashfulness as the backdrop to the 3-1 defeat of Greece on Thursday that took Scotland level with Denmark at the summit of Group C. Greece could scarcely believe they lost, let alone by two goals. Yet in a truncated qualifying section, with the making of history on the line, Scotland have no reason to dwell on an underwhelming display. “Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve in football and sometimes you get a little bit more than you deserve,” said Clarke. “Football is a 96- or 97-minute game now. You have to work your way into it and control the game in your bad moments.”
Scotland have been the victims of poor fortune, such as during their last World Cup attempt when the necessary rescheduling of a playoff game against Ukraine hampered them far more than Clarke was ever going to admit. As Greece pick through the bones of a hugely damaging result in Glasgow, a key element was that their centre-forward could not tap into an empty net from six yards. The Greece coach, Ivan Jovanovic, to his credit, dismissed any sense of lucky Scots when given opportunity to highlight that.
But for a lack of efficiency in front of goal, Scotland would have opened their campaign with a win in Copenhagen. The point collected there looks increasingly decent given subsequent Danish displays. Greece’s role and attitude in this group is intriguing; they could help Scotland’s quest for automatic qualification by puncturing Denmark on Sunday. Yet if they do so, they will also have much to play for when Scotland visit Athens next month. Greece are so erratic that it is impossible to call how their fixtures will go.
Scotland will need to reshuffle against a Belarus team who have shipped 13 goals in three games. Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Christie are suspended and Aaron Hickey has an injury. Billy Gilmour is certain to come into the midfield. There is a strong case for adding Lyndon Dykes to the attack. Ben Gannon-Doak endured a frustrating evening against Greece but is worth persisting with for a match Scotland need to play firmly on the front foot. Denmark, who visit Glasgow to close the section, are five goals better off than Scotland.
The Scotland squad lacks nothing in motivation. A batch of the group seem acutely aware this is not only their best but perhaps their last chance to reach a World Cup. Dykes, John McGinn, Robertson, Ryan Christie and Grant Hanley are 30 or older. Clarke is on his leaving tour, with all expectation that he will call time whenever this World Cup run ends. Scotland’s manager has been underappreciated; if he becomes the first man to guide the country to three major finals, his legacy would be secure. Clarke would also become more appealing in the eyes of clubs.
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“Can the fans start to dream?” Clarke said as dust settled on the Greece clash. “They can do what they want; they normally do. Am I starting to dream? No, you know me better than that.” Indeed we do. All eyes are on Belarus. It just feels impossible not to ponder what follows.
