Steve Clarke is targeted on ending Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualification marketing campaign on a excessive after sealing their place in Germany amid a hat-trick of defeats.
A 2-0 loss in Spain was sandwiched by pleasant defeats in opposition to England and France, however 5 wins from their opening 5 video games in Group A proved sufficient for a second successive qualification for the European Championship finals after the Spaniards gained in Norway.
With a five-month worldwide hiatus to observe, Clarke is keen to make sure Scotland come away from their closing aggressive matches with factors in opposition to Georgia and Norway earlier than subsequent summer time’s match in Germany.
Talking forward of Thursday’s conflict in Tbilisi, the Scotland supervisor stated: “The concept with the pleasant matches in opposition to England and France was to check ourselves in opposition to one of the best and see the place we measure up.
“Clearly with the outcomes we had, we nonetheless have a bit of labor to do. We are going to attempt to keep humble, respect our opponents and simply attempt to enhance on a regular basis.
Scotland have misplaced their earlier two matches away to Georgia
“Hear, we need to get again to successful methods. It is not fairly often within the reign that I’ve had, other than the early phases, that we’ve got had consecutive defeats like we’ve got had just lately.
“It might be good to suppose within the remaining two video games we will choose up extra factors.
“I’ve all the time stated we need to get as excessive a factors tally as potential and [we have] two extra video games to try to try this.”
Lawrence Shankland had been added to the Scotland squad
Scotland have misplaced their earlier two video games in Georgia, defeats which in the end prevented them from qualifying for Euro 2008 and 2016.
Clarke’s facet have proven the flexibility to interrupt such unfavourable runs, for example securing the primary play-off success and ending a 23-year anticipate a serious match look.
“Hear, in sport what’s previous is previous, there may be nothing we will do to have an effect on that,” Clarke stated of the historical past in Tbilisi. “All we will do is have an effect on the long run, the subsequent recreation we play.
“Now we have all the time tried to enhance outcomes irrespective of who we’re taking part in in opposition to.”
Georgia misplaced 7-1 at residence to Spain in September however they beat Cyprus 4-0 of their most up-to-date qualifier and are assured of a Euro 2024 play-off place because of a Nations League marketing campaign which included wins in Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
Clarke stated: “Whenever you go away from residence in opposition to a workforce like Georgia, it may be a tough setting, a tough recreation for us, as a result of they’re an excellent facet.
“The one recreation they misplaced closely was in opposition to Spain and that is somewhat little bit of an anomaly in current video games, as a result of all their video games have been very aggressive. And we anticipate that on Thursday evening.”
Josh Doig is again within the Scotland squad
Clarke is with out Angus Gunn, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey and Che Adams, however he hopes gamers reminiscent of Josh Doig and Lawrence Shankland can seize the chance that harm listing presents.
“Over the course of my tenure I’ve all the time tried to look somewhat bit deeper,” he stated.
“There can be some squads like this one the place we’ve got numerous gamers lacking. However I all the time say it is an opportunity for another person.
“If everybody else can do higher it makes my choice tougher going into subsequent yr. The choice can be tough. I’ve to seek out the correct 23 for subsequent summer time.
“For now, some boys are within the squad with the prospect to make an enormous impression, not simply on me however the remainder of my workers and the remainder of the nation. Let’s examine how they carry out within the recreation.”
Andrew Robertson injured his shoulder in Scotland’s defeat to Spain in October
Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark and Motherwell captain Liam Kelly are vying for aggressive debuts after each performed 45 minutes in opposition to France to win their first caps.
Clarke, who additionally has Rangers reserve Robby McCrorie in his squad, was not giving something away on his stand-in selection.
Talking from Scotland’s coaching camp in Antalya, Turkey, he stated: “The three goalkeepers have skilled very nicely, as they all the time do, and between now and kick-off I’ll clearly have to decide on one.”
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark, Liam Kelly, Robby McCrorie.
Defenders: Liam Cooper, Josh Doig, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Ryan Porteous, Anthony Ralston, Greg Taylor.
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong, Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, Ryan Jack, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay.
Forwards: Jacob Brown, Ryan Christie, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland.
Scotland’s upcoming fixtures
November 16: Georgia (a), Euro 2024 qualifier, kick-off 5pm
November 19: Norway (h), Euro 2024 qualifier, kick-off 7.45pm
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